... that is, Mahler's Third Symphony. Tonight we endeavored to stay silent as MTT & the SFS played Mahler's third. This is the third recording in a six-season-spanning series of recordings by MTT and the SFS of the entire Mahler cycle (and they're not going in order, even though the third's the third.) It was fantastic. I especially liked Part I - the percussion was stunning & intriguing, and the blending of the sounds of the instruments was particularly compelling in this piece. Part II was really good, too.

The stage was full - the orchestra was at some of its largest, as i've seen it. Only a few other pieces have called for so many instruments. (Complete with a contrabass-tuba!!). The women of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus filled the back benches above the symphony, and the San Francisco Girls Chorus with the Pacific Boychoir filled the side terrace seats. For so many singers (along with a soloist down front & center), there were relatively little vocals in the piece. I'm often wary of vocals in symphony pieces, but i liked how these integrated.

There was no intermission - they played straight through. We sat in Box P - our first time in the boxes behind the orchestra seats. The verdict? Worth the few extra dollars over upper orchestra for the arm and leg room, but i still like the side terrace better. I really like being close to the musicians, seeing them and almost getting to know them. I found myself recognizing my favorite folks by silhouette and height instead of by facial features.

Afterwards we scooted over to Vicolo for some pizza, salad, and sauvignon blanc. Then we took a leisurely walk home with animated conversation. We considered going into Zeitgeist and having a drink as we passed, mostly because i'm about to polish off the Sterling book by the same name, and it seemed appropriately meta to finish it there. Instead, we journeyed home to you, my faithful readers. Now i just need a good clean night out dancing to industrial music, and i'll feel aurally complete for the month!

[note: i forgot to say that we also saw the 10th anniversary Critical Mass riding by, as we arrived at Davies Symphony Hall. Cool.]