Cleveland Orchestra

The wife and I went to see the Cleveland Orchestra perform at Blossom last night. We had 10th row tickets in the pavilion (mom of course won them). Blossom is a wonderful venue to see the orchestra as the pavilion theater provides excellent sound quality. Case Scaglione from the Aspen Academy conducted "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis", done originally by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The piece had a wonderful blend of volumes, pace, and emotion. The violin solos were on point. Next was Sergei Prokofiev's "Suite from Lieutenant Kije", Opus 60, conducted by David Zinman. It contrasted nicely with the first piece. Intermission came and then we got our surprise. Zinman conducted "Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor", Opus 15, by Johannes Brahms. World-renowned pianist Stephen Hough amazed the crowd and myself. Each of the 3 movements were perfect. The emotions you feel while the horns are blaring and the violins and cellos are strumming furiously are unexplainable. If ever you get a chance to see Stephen Hough play the piano, don't miss it.