They were amazingly good (and fun) when I photographed them several years ago. One of the better ones!

Speaking of Styx; looking forward to a Todd Sucherman drum clinic in Vancouver early 2012.

I recently won tickets to see the Mariinsky Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev most probably the premier orchestra in Russia today with the most prominent conductor from that country. The program was all Russian containing works of Stravinsky (The Firebird)Prokofiev Piano Concerto #3 & ending with Shostakovich Symphony #1. This was a rare opportunity to see a world class orchestra and conductor 20 minutes from where I live. As a former professional musician I listened with a critical ear and eye. The orchestra was far superior to the hall in which I was seated. The acoustics were to confining for this fine ensemble. The performances were flawless, exciting and the sound of this Russian orchestra was not as I would have expected. This orchestra is the direct descendant of the Leningrad Philharmonic. But is dramatically different than in the Philharmonic's heyday. Mariinsky is now very European sounding rather the raw Soviet of old. No wobbly horn sound or extreme vibrato in the other brass instruments. Very fine winds and percussion (my instrument) was totally on target with superb balance. In the Shostakovich there is a solo snare drum roll from very soft to very loud that was smooth as silk. The only distraction I noticed was the percussionist who played the cymbals...his sound was very fine but when he lifted them during the "crashes" he also faced the cymbals outward and held them there for a few seconds. Lighting from the hall reflected off the cymbals and proved to be distracting. There is no improvement in sound doing this kind of action and was purely for show. Other than that, it was an exhilarating experience and I wished to be on stage playing with them at the time. If I could speak Russian I would have surely gone back stage to praise them personally...unforgettable!

Sounds like an excellent experience, Lee! Hearing a live orchestra is on my list of must-do things.

Wow, Lee! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your review, and envy your experience.

just try to get some near-front center seat; you will not regret it;
it easily can be overwhelming when one is used to listening at home only, without the live experience.

Nice review Lee.

i just bought tickets to the visiting NAC, National Arts Center, Orchestra. While not as rare an oppurtunity as the Mariinsky Orchestra, I am exitied as the NAC will be led by Julian Kuerti who is certainly the most renowned conductor to visit our little PEI pit in a long time.

Might be too soon for me to get excited (don't know yet whether I'm approved for the time off from work), but Emily Wells is playing Portland, OR on January 12th, so I'll be doing everything I can to attend. She's tied with Marina at the top of my must-see artists list. My friend in Beaverton already said I could stay with them, so that makes it easier. Fingers crossed!

While I have not seen him yet, I just bought 4 tickets to see Roger Waters on May 1st at the Toyota Center. My wife's birthday is May 2nd and she is going to love this present!

Cool! I enjoyed seeing him on his 2008 tour when he and his band played DSOTM in its entirety. Have fun!