“A New York orchestra isn’t just taking the traditional concert and turning it on its head—it’s turning it inside out,” reports Stephanie Simon in a January 30 video on New York City TV station NY1. “What if orchestra seats meant you sat in the orchestra? Sounds great! The acoustics, sitting here among the musicians of the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, are amazing. ‘It came from the idea that the best seat in the house in a classical music orchestral concert is inside the orchestra,’ said David Bernard, music director for the symphony. Last year, after noticing the trend of immersive theater, Bernard came up with the idea for an ‘inside out’ concert, where the audience sits inside the orchestra.… ‘I was wondering a little bit about the distraction factor, but I have kids and so I’m kind of used to it,’ said violinist Lesley Rosenthal.” Simon brought “some friends along to get their reactions. Not big classical music fans—well, not yet anyway. ‘I felt every note,’ said Andrea Arroyo. ‘I could hear everything and I could see the faces of the musicians. It was fantastic.’ … It seems the only regret here is that every concert can’t be ‘inside out.’ ”
Posted February 6, 2017
