Music in San Diego 2024 Post

_posts/2024-12-31-music-san-diego-2024.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Music in San Diego 2024
 author: wqzhao
-date: 2024-12-31 13:36:00 -0800
+date: 2024-12-31 18:09:00 -0800
 categories: [Music]
 tags: [music, news]
 pin: false
@@ -10,11 +10,10 @@ image:
   alt: View from the Balcony of Newly Renovated Jacobs Music Center at San Diego
 ---
 
-It is great for a PhD student to enjoy music at weekends.
-In the summer of 2023 when I visited UC San Diego as a research intern,
-I have already got the chance to listen to some live music performances in San Diego,
-including the organ performance from the Spreckels Organ Society and dual pianos rehearsal from the La Jolla Music Society.
-Now, in the 2024--2025 season, I have explored more about the available concerts and operas in San Diego.
+It's always great for a PhD student to savor music on the weekends!
+In the summer of 2023, when I visited UC San Diego as a research intern, I was lucky enough to catch several live performances,
+including an organ recital by the Spreckels Organ Society and a dual piano rehearsal hosted by the La Jolla Music Society.
+Now, for the 2024–2025 season, I've discovered even more concerts and operas around San Diego.
 
 ## Resurrection
 > Time
@@ -23,34 +22,42 @@ Now, in the 2024--2025 season, I have explored more about the available concerts
 > Location
 > : Jacobs Music Center, San Diego
 
-After stepping the newly renovated Jocobs Music Center,
-I was amazed by the beauty of the hall blended with both lines and colors.
-The sensation of coolness and warmth was felt at the same time.
-The traditional and historical style of the hall was well preserved while new technologies were also integrated to enhance the acoustic experience.
-In the lecture prior to the performance, I know the great acoustics of the hall, claimed to be "the best in the west coast."
-Wow, I cannot wait to enjoy the performance.
+Stepping into the newly renovated Jacobs Music Center, I was immediately struck by the way its historic design harmonizes with modern elements.
+The hall exudes both coolness and warmth, a testament to its preserved heritage and new acoustic technology.
+In a pre-performance talk, I learned why many call these acoustics "the best on the West Coast."
+I couldn't wait for the music to begin!
 
 The first half of the concert was the performance of Thomas Larcher's *Time, Three Movements for Orchestra*,
-which shows the glamorous sound effect of this hall.
+which showcased the hall's stunning acoustics.
+Each note revealed the venue’s rich, resonant quality.
 
 The second half was the performance of Mahler's *Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection)*, which I was looking forward to.
 This symphony is one of my favorite pieces of Mahler.
 The piece is so powerful and touching, and I am almost into tears at the end of the performance.
 The words "I shall die, so as to live!" (Sterben werd' ich, um zu leben!) were so inspiring, along with the orchestral and choral performance.
 Yes, resurrection. I feel the resurrection of life and spirit. Arise from the dead!
 
-The performance directed by Rafael Payare was so great: energetic, passionate, and non-traditional.
-The speed was flexible in different places to express the emotions of the music,
-bringing a new perspective to me.
+Then came the second half of the concert.
+Mahler's *Symphony No. 2* is one of my favorite pieces.
+It’s powerful and emotional, and I nearly teared up at the end.
+The words "I shall die, so as to live!" (Sterben werd’ ich, um zu leben!) felt incredibly moving,
+especially with the orchestra and chorus in full force.
+This performance by the [San Diego Symphony](https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/) under Rafael Payare was energetic, passionate, and refreshingly non-traditional.
+The flexible tempo lent extra emotional depth, giving me a new perspective on a familiar masterpiece.
 
-After the performance, I talked to the person sitting next to me, a viola player from the La Jolla Symphony.
+<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *;" class="light" frameborder="0" height="450" style="width:100%;overflow:hidden;background:transparent;border-radius:10px;" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/mahler-symphony-no-2-resurrection/1452225107?theme=light"></iframe>
+<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *;" class="dark" frameborder="0" height="450" style="width:100%;overflow:hidden;background:transparent;border-radius:10px;" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/mahler-symphony-no-2-resurrection/1452225107?theme=dark"></iframe>
+
+<!-- After the performance, I talked to the person sitting next to me, a viola player from the La Jolla Symphony.
 She talked to me about her own experience of playing Mahler's symphonies.
-Wow, that was wonderful.
+Wow, that was wonderful. -->
+Afterward, I chatted with a viola player from the La Jolla Symphony.
+She shared her experience of performing Mahler's symphonies
+--- an unforgettable conversation that capped an inspiring afternoon.
 
 ![Jacobs Music Center view from the balcony. Applause at the end of performance of Mahler's Resurrection by San Diego Symphony and San Diego Festival Chorus.](/assets/img/2024-12-31-resurrection.jpeg)
 
-The great performance was also reported in 
-[A review from San Diego Story](https://sandiegostory.com/san-diego-symphonys-soaring-inspiring-mahler-second-symphony-resurrection/).
+[San Diego Story also gave a glowing review](https://sandiegostory.com/san-diego-symphonys-soaring-inspiring-mahler-second-symphony-resurrection/) to this wonderful performance.
 
 ## Schoenberg and Beethoven
 > Time
@@ -59,23 +66,24 @@ The great performance was also reported in
 > Location
 > : Jacobs Music Center, San Diego
 
-This time I chose a cheaper seat at the balcony, but the sound was still great, and the view was even broader.
-Though the music was great, [shock on the trolley](#shock-on-the-trolley) just made me uncomfortable and nervous that day.
+This time, I chose a cheaper balcony seat.
+Despite the lower price, the acoustics were still excellent, and I enjoyed a panoramic view of the hall.
+Unfortunately, I had a disquieting experience on the trolley earlier (see [Shock on the Trolley](#shock-on-the-trolley)),
+which left me feeling uneasy before the show.
 
 ### Schoenberg: Pelléas und Mélisande, Op. 5
-I seldom listened to Schoenberg's music before,
-but this performance of *Pelléas und Mélisande* was so impressive,
-and presented me with a new perspective of Schoenberg's early music: romantic, passionate, and full of emotions.
-The story and fantasy of the story were so vividly expressed by the music.
+I rarely listened to Schoenberg, but this performance of *Pelléas und Mélisande* deeply impressed me.
+It revealed a lush, romantic side of Schoenberg's early music --- brimming with passion and emotion.
+The piece vividly evoked the story's dreamlike quality.
+
+<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *;" class="light" frameborder="0" height="450" style="width:100%;overflow:hidden;background:transparent;border-radius:10px;" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/schoenberg-verkl%C3%A4rte-nacht-op-4-pell%C3%A9as-und-m%C3%A9lisande-op-5/1452350866?theme=light"></iframe>
+<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *;" class="dark" frameborder="0" height="450" style="width:100%;overflow:hidden;background:transparent;border-radius:10px;" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/schoenberg-verkl%C3%A4rte-nacht-op-4-pell%C3%A9as-und-m%C3%A9lisande-op-5/1452350866?theme=dark"></iframe>
 
 ### Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61
-The violinist Pinchas Zukerman jumps in for performance,
-and the piece was changed from the Brahms's to the Beethoven's Violin Concerto.
-I am kind of equal to both pieces, but I am still excited to listen to the Beethoven's,
-which has a great orchestration.
-Before entering the hall, I talked to someone who was a fan of Beethoven's music and said the change was a surprise.
-Pinchas Zukerman's performance was so great, and the orchestra was so supportive,
-so there was both details and passion in the performance.
+[Pinchas Zukerman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinchas_Zukerman) stood in for the originally scheduled soloist,
+switching the planned Brahms Violin Concerto to Beethoven's. Although I like both composers, I was thrilled for the Beethoven.
+I spoke with a die-hard Beethoven fan in the lobby who was pleasantly surprised by the change.
+The orchestra's supportive accompaniment gave Zukerman's performance ample room for both detail and passion.
 
 ![Jacobs Music Center view from the balcony. Applause at the end of performance of "Schoenberg and Beethoven" by San Diego Symphony.](/assets/img/2024-12-31-schoenberg-and-beethoven.jpeg)
 
@@ -86,28 +94,52 @@ so there was both details and passion in the performance.
 > Location
 > : Civic Theatre, San Diego
 
-After the [shock on the trolley](#shock-on-the-trolley), I was still able to 
+Still rattled by the [shock on the trolley](#shock-on-the-trolley),
+I nonetheless took the trolley again to the Civic Theatre.
+Inside, I felt much safer and managed to grab a sandwich for lunch.
+
+The [San Diego Opera](https://www.sdopera.org/) production of Puccini's *La Bohème* was outstanding.
+Despite a minimalist stage, the modern yet faithful adaptation showcased the story's timeless beauty.
+The singer's voices soared, filling the theater with heartfelt emotion.
+I was especially moved during Mimi’s death scene --- seeing it live was far more affecting than any recording I've heard.
+I left with renewed resolve to persevere despite life's challenges.
+
+<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *;" class="light" frameborder="0" height="450" style="width:100%;overflow:hidden;background:transparent;border-radius:10px;" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/puccini-la-boh%C3%A8me-live-at-gasteig-m%C3%BCnchen-2007/1452335955?theme=light"></iframe>
+<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *;" class="dark" frameborder="0" height="450" style="width:100%;overflow:hidden;background:transparent;border-radius:10px;" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/puccini-la-boh%C3%A8me-live-at-gasteig-m%C3%BCnchen-2007/1452335955?theme=dark"></iframe>
 
 ![Civic Theatre at San Diego. Curtain call at the end of performance of Puccini's La Bohème by San Diego Opera.](/assets/img/2024-12-31-la-boheme.jpeg)
 
+Students are eligible for special price tickets!
+More information is available at the [San Diego Opera website](https://www.sdopera.org/season/special-discounts/#Students).
+
 ## Shock on the Trolley
 
-As usual, I took the blue line trolley to the downtown, sitting near the window and enjoying the beautiful view and the great weather.
-Between Nobel Drive station and the Balboa Avenue station, a man in the black hoodie suddenly shouted and pushed the person (a UCSD student actually) sitting near him.
-Then what I saw was the man in black wielding a knife and punched the student.
-The student was pushed forward, standing, with blood watering down his neck.
-The trolley is still moving.
-In this car there were only a few people, including two girls behind me.
-I was so shocked to see this even though I have always been cautious on the public transit.
-Death seemed to be so close, but I did not have the mind to think about the wills.
-The man in black walked back and forth in the narrow aisle, and I was so nervous, holding my backpack in my arms, and avoiding any eye contact with the knife man.
+> **Warning:** The following content contains violence and may be disturbing to some readers.
+{: .prompt-warning }
 
-![Fifth Avenue Trolley Station at downtown San Diego.](/assets/img/2024-12-31-trolley.jpeg)
+On the way downtown via the Blue Line trolley,
+I was enjoying the view when a man in a black hoodie suddenly shouted and attacked a UCSD student nearby.
+He wielded a knife and struck the student, drawing blood.
+The trolley kept moving between Nobel Drive and Balboa Avenue stations.
+Fear gripped me --- I clutched my backpack and avoided eye contact. 
 
-Despite the danger, I still grabbed some delicious tacos at downtown near the 5th Avenue before going back home on the blue line trolley.
+When we finally reached Balboa Avenue, everyone dashed toward the first car to find the conductor.
+The injured student remained remarkably calm, and we alerted the police.
+The attacker fled.
+At the Tecolote Road station, officers arrived, interviewed us, and asked all passengers to switch to another trolley.
+One elderly concertgoer said she had never witnessed such violence on San Diego transit.
+Although still shaken, I made it to the performance just in time --- but I couldn't easily shake off the shock.
+
+
+![Fifth Avenue trolley station at downtown San Diego.](/assets/img/2024-12-31-trolley.jpeg)
+
+Despite the danger, I enjoyed some delicious tacos at Tacos El Gordo near 5th Avenue after the concert,
+then hopped back on the Blue Line to head home.
 
 ![Taco at Tacos el Gordo.](/assets/img/2024-12-31-taco.jpeg)
 
 ---
 
 [Read more about music from Wuqiong Zhao.](https://wqzhao.org/music)
+
+All photos are taken by the author ([Wuqiong Zhao](https://wqzhao.org)), to be shared under the [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license.