It's been years since I went for a NTU guitar ensemble(was called "club" years back) concert. Conjured enough curiosity to decide to visit them just yesterday night. Much of the reason was also I've never been to the Lee Foundation theatre at NAFA. Pris, ZhaoJin, Zhiqiang, Daren, Moh were there as well.
There wasn't much to listen to, literally. Miking was rather minimum, so the guitar sounds came forth pretty acoustically. They played some Kitaro piece, Matusri, which had some guitar knocking; completely drowning the altos and the alto cembalos tremelos in the process. Then there was that Air on G, Tomas conducted. He's gotten a bit fatter since years back, swollen to be exact. Perhaps guitar sales are really sky-rocketing eh?
Then came like 5 to 6 pieces of small groups, from Kill Bill soundtrack, schnappi the crocodile, Manha de Carnival... I was most unimpressed by their sound. Quite raw and unfocused. Lacks collaborated direction.
Interval came and I had a slight discussion with Daren. He had the most abhoration for the guitarron player, occupational hazard I guess. Moh and I were quite distraught about their sound. Looking at the booklet,we realised they only have 5 Altos, and 3 Alto Cembalos. Yes the Alto cembalos were playing the melody. Strange isn't it?
Primes? Hmmm... I think they have about 20 or so... but the sound is really unlike the numbers. Well, the pot is calling the kettle black. haha =)
We were transported to another realm of cacophony when they opened their 2nd half with vocals and keyboard. (huh?) Anyway, The keyboardist was FANTASTIC. He played with such confidence, but alas, the 20 second celestial realm was broken once the girl started to ignore A = 440 Hz. She somewhat decided at 430Hz I guess. Well, I survived through it, so did the keyboardist(God knows how...) AND Moh woke up. He slept through it!!!! Unbelievable. Must have be well trained by the SO last year.
We were greeted by many more small groups, some asking for money(2 dollar bills), some renditions of Chocobo theme from FF series and the evening finally ended with Plink Plank Plunk, a different version from Leroy Anderson's, re-arranged with a interlude in minor and a waltz. The concert ended at around 9:45p.m. We were rather grateful it did not escalate beyond 10p.m.
Overall: VERY VERY JC standard. I told Moh, VJC plays better.
Hope I'll be there for Not-tuned 2007!
1 comment:
Thats what i meant when i said interesting conductors, interesting arrangements, interesting mc, interesting mix of guitars..
I think last year they had a very funny conductor who conduct like a stone. Then there is another guy who conduct very enegertically.. but perhaps too much energy cos the ensemble just dont sound like the energy he is emanating. The interesting arrangement that i remember was ppp.. i still remember how "amazing" it sounds when it doesnt seem to end.. now i rem, the waltz in the arrangement nearly made me blurt out laughing... U nv talk abt the MC hor.. haha.. and yar.. the mix of guitar is exactly what u said. I was utterly surprised that there were so many alto cembalos.. and the whole ensemble really sounds like metal.
Looks like their "interesting" style of concert still prevails.. perhaps with more interesting elements introduced this year like... not-tuned.. ermm...
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