Jan's Blog: San Francisco Orchestra

For my birthday, Laura bought tickets for the four of us to go and see the San Francisco Orchestra. This was arranged several months ago. Laura gave me a choice of programs, and I selected a program of fairly light music, including some well-known Mozart pieces, which I thought would be the most suitable for the four of us. One possibility on the list Laura gave me was Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, and I remember suggesting that this might be rather heavy going for our group.

Several days before we were due to go, Laura decided to change the date for our orchestral concert, to fit in better with some other plans she had made for us. The only date we were able to go was guess what, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. Consequently, I was a bit apprehensive about how the others would enjoy the program.

The drive in was a bit of a circus to avoid running into streets which had been closed for the Dykes on Bikes parade. However, we just made it in time for the free lecture about the program, which was very helpful as it gave us all some clues about what to look out for during the performance.

Pat, Arend and Laura enjoying pre-concert drinks.

Dress at the concert was fairly similar to the way it would be in Brisbane. However, San Francisco seems to be much more casual in dress than Brisbane, especially in the business area, and Arend did spot one lady at the concert in Crocs and track suit pants.

San Francisco Orchestra pipe organ. While it wasn’t used for Missa Solemnis, it certainly looked spectacular.

Although you couldn’t take pictures during the performance, I did sneak in a few before it started. Here is the orchestra getting ready. From our seats, we had a great view of the whole stage.

Two rows of the choir are on now.

Most of the orchestra and most of the choir is on now.

As it happened, Missa Solemnis, proved to be quite interesting for everyone. We could all watch out for when fugues came in, plus there were four vocal soloists and a whopping choir of 112 to watch – the biggest adult choir I have ever seen.

For me, there were some moments that were truly exquisite. Towards the end of the Sanctus, the first violinist played solo with the vocal soloists. The last chord of that section – the solo violin and the choir – was so beautiful that some people clapped. That was a very high point for me.

Jan, Pat and Laura coming down the stairs.

Large Four Piece Reclining Figure - 1973
by Henry Moore

Laura was very impressed that this Henry Moore sculpture was in front of the San Francisco Orchestra building, as she had done an assignment on this exact piece for Year 12 art.

San Francisco City Hall is almost opposite the SFO building.

After the concert, we went and had dinner at Chevy’s, a Tex Mex restaurant. Arend was very keen that I should take a picture of this aeroplane on the ceiling of the restaurant.