For the past 3 weekends, we have spent an evening with the Kansas City Symphony. In fact, these 3 weekends have spoiled us something fierce. The first weekend was Mahler’s 9th Symphony – a 90-minute masterpiece that kept us spellbound until the very end.

Last weekend was fascinating with percussionist, Martin Grubinger of Salzburg, playing a Concerto for Percussionist and String Orchestra and Brass – 3 movements with three different sets of percussion instruments: wood (i.e., marimba, blocks), metal (i.e., xylophone, gong, chimes), and skins (drums, tympani). This was followed with Beethoven’s 5th Symphony – da-da-da-dummmm. That was one fabulous concert. Check out all of the percussion instruments lining the front of the stage (all played by one soloist):

Then, tonight we were delighted to hear Bernstein’s “On the Waterfront”. This was followed with Leon Fleisher, world renown pianist, playing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in D Major for Left Hand. This picture is Mr. Fleisher taking a bow with Maestro Michael Stern.

Finally, the evening ended with the Symphony playing Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade”. Absolutely amazing.

And to think – I get to sing with this group every now and then…