Michael Hirsch, age 18, is today's guest blogger. He is about to leave for college and is Jim Hirsch's son.
On Wednesday, July 18, I was having a routine day working at my law office eagerly waiting for the five o'clock hour so I could leave. Around 4:00 p.m. I got a phone call from a friend who was going to the Decemberists concert at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. I
had heard the Decemberists on the radio and seen them on the Colbert Report before, so even though I am not a die-hard fan, I am familiar with their music and do enjoy it. I was unaware that this event was even happening, but the venue was minutes away from work and it was free, so I thought why not? After I hung up the phone I found myself anxious to see the show.
I met up with my friends a half an hour before the show at 6:00 p.m., dropping by the Chicago Sinfonietta's office to say hello my dad beforehand. Once my friends and I met up we found ourselves amongst a crowd of 15,000 fans, and we struggled to find a place to sit at the back of the lawn. I picked up a program for the event and discovered that the Decemberists would not be playing alone, but rather were accompanied by the Grant Park Festival Orchestra. As an eighteen-year-old male my initial reaction was highly unfavorable. I was worried that having the Decemberists play with an orchestra would detract from their usual indie/rock/alternative sound and turn it into more of a classical show. Though I began to have doubts about the concert, I tried my hardest to keep an open mind and enjoy myself while I was there.
The Decemberists played about ten songs and the show lasted a little under two hours. And in case you were wondering how the band sounded with the orchestra, it was extraordinary. I could not have 
been more wrong about how the band incorporated the orchestra's sounds into the music. The orchestra did not dominate the groove of their sound, but rather enhanced it, and in my opinion made many of the songs more epic and dramatic. I can honestly say that I think I would have enjoyed the show less had the orchestra not been a part of the set. It was a truly unique and distinctive sound that is not captured on their albums, and it was nice to hear a new variation of familiar music.
I guess you could say I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed the orchestra with the band, thus learning that I must have some sort of interest and appreciation for classical music. When classical music is mentioned I immediately picture myself sitting in a venue not being able to talk or clap until designated times. That generally is not the type of atmosphere teenagers like to be in, especially when going to a concert. Therefore, I think making efforts to combine mainstream pop music with orchestras is a really effective way to open young adults to the classical music world. Listening to the orchestra play with music I enjoy helped me to recognize how powerful classical music can be. The concert was a definite success in my eyes considering I left the concert a bigger Decemberists fan than when I had arrived.
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Guest (not verified) | Thu, 08/02/2007 - 9:18am
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»Jon Weber | Thu, 08/02/2007 - 4:23pm
Thank you, Michael, for your testimonial! I am thrilled that you had an enjoyable, even eye-opening experience with the Grant Park Orchestra and the Decemberists. I would encourage you to explore further and, when appropriate, share your enthusiasm with friends.
"Classical" is a misplaced adjective. The majority of repertoire falls outside the Classical period (Hayden, Mozart, and early Beethoven). It is true that most orchestral performances honor the creative output of composers who have long since pased away. But the vitality and sponanaity of the musicians' performance make the experience ANYTHING except passé.
Symphonic music is beautiful by itself. It is also a profound demonstration of teamwork and multiculturalism and it has an amazing ability to enhance our perception of the world around us: nature, culture, AND the Decemberists.
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»dramaqueen | Thu, 08/02/2007 - 4:39pm
Dear Master Hirsch,
I applaud your experimentation with, and openess to other forms of music. While us older people love the atmosphere of a concert, it is obvious that classical music, like all things, must change over time. I did not attend this particular concert, though I am a regular at the GPMF. I heard that the concert attracted a large audience comprised of many younger people like yourself. All I can say is, I hope you come back for more, and bravo GPMF for introducing all of these new people to the wonder of classical music.
DQ
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»gordman | Tue, 02/12/2008 - 2:01pm
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