Word: ansermet
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Promptly at 2:15, William Primrose, a tall, austere-looking man, and conductor Ernest Ansermet entered; the random noises from the orchestra ceased and the spectators took their seats...
Suddenly the lights blinked on, the doors opened, and a flood of late-comers poured into Symphony Hall. The isles were clogged with old women greeting their friends, school-girls scampering around in search of their seats, and an occasional man shambling to and fro. Ansermet waited patiently for a minute or so, then wheeled around and glared disgustedly at the stream of people still flowing in. People, noticing his expression, started pointing at him and laughing, while members of the orchestra resumed their warm-up cacaphony. The stream turned into a dribble and finally stopped, allowing the concert...
Depicting a "March of Pilgrims Singing Their Evening Hymn," the second movement is a gentle lyrical piece ending on a long sustained note played by the strings and the soloist. The performance seemed an improvement over that of the first section: Ansermet had more control over the orchestra and Primrose played his difficult part flawlessly and seemingly without effort. As the movement concluded, instrument after instrument dropped out until only the soloist and the strings remained playing. Primrose poised his bow for the last note and, with the impact of a siren in an empty subway station, produced the sourest...
...seemed to go on and on. The audience was paralyzed and Ansermet cocked his head increduously. Suddenly everyone blushed and started whispering in horror-stricken tones. Orchestra members grinned at each other and hushed repitions of the offending note could be heard. Primrose, motionless, paled perceptibly but otherwise looked unconcerned. With a lunge, Anserment brandished his baton and plunged into the third movement...
...Ernest Ansermet will conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra in its second local concert of the year at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, in Sanders Theatre. Ansermet is substituting for Music Director Charles Munch...