Alex Ross at Cal Performances
October 16, 2010
* Notes *
Cal Performances presented a lecture from Alex Ross entitled Chacona, Lamento, Walking Blues: Bass Lines of Music History last Thursday in Berkeley. The talk is based on the second chapter of his new book, Listen to This. We started off with the chaconne, a Spanish dance popular in the early 17th century. The passacaglia was also mentioned, since both have common origins and are often in triple meter. Ross discussed and played snippets of everything from Monteverdi, Pachelbel, Purcell, Bach, and Beethoven to Nina Simone, the Beatles, the Eagles, and Bob Dylan. Some of his musical examples were even recordings of his own piano playing. I particularly enjoyed hearing Andreas Scholl singing John Dowland's "Flow My Tears" and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson in the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra recording of Dido and Aeneas.
* Tattling *
The audience was not entirely attentive, and there was some electronic noise. The evening was rather warm, and the temperature in Wheeler Hall was terribly comfortable. Perhaps my sailor outfit was not apropos, and Miss LCU may have had the correct idea with her safari wear.
After the performance Ross stayed around for questions. I finally had a chance to introduce Axel Feldheim to M. C—, and we all had the chance to greet Mr. Ross.