Just a quick blurb to recommend a wonderful concert at Disney Hall. Dudamel and company performed most of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite in the first half of the program. It’s holiday appropriate and the orchestra performed beautifully, as usual. In the second half of the program Duke Ellington’s jazz version of some of the dances was interspersed with the original music. A greasy tenor sax and snare drum set were included. Very tasty. The classical folks can do jazz with the best. The audience was grinning and head bobbing along. Unfortunately, the woman at the end of our row did a Mr. Ed imitation. She stamped her hooves on the wooden floor. The Hall is remarkable live, and her hoof beats reverberated. Annoying. But the music was so good I could ignore her.
The Hall was decorated for Christmas. Very festive. Altogether a great night. I think there are two more performances left. If you want to get your Christmas on, enjoy the Russian/American versions of The Nutcracker at Disney Hall.
