John Williams and Anne-Sophie Mutter @ Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh, PA) - December 12, 2023

[SyncMan 314]

Yes, they are coming back to Pittsburgh

Quote

Superstar violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter celebrates her 60th birthday year with a performance she created with her friends and musical colleagues. She joins the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra along with longtime friend, pianist Yefim Bronfman, her protégé, cellist Pablo Ferrández, and sought-after conductor Susanna Mälkki.   

Ms. Mutter performs the Beethoven Triple Concerto with Mr. Bronfman and Mr. Ferrández in the first half of the evening, under the baton of Ms. Mälkki.

The second half will bring Anne-Sophie Mutter together with the legendary conductor and composer John Williams for a special program featuring his compositions.

This one-night-only performance is not to be missed!

This performance is a benefit for the Pittsburgh Symphony.

https://pittsburghsymphony.org/production/90159/mutter-williams-and-friends

[Ian Stouffer 17]

I thought that the April 2022 Pittsburgh concert was a once in a lifetime experience. While that was an unforgettable experience, I am definitely going to see the Maestro again.

[Foxfan 128]

I'm planning a short December holiday road trip around this concert in Pittsburgh (never seen Heinz Hall and will try and see a Holiday Pops concert in Cincinnati too).

 

Unfortunately tickets aren't offered to the general public until September 29th which is still far away.

 

Would anyone have a subscriber promo code they could please send me privately?

[Foxfan 128]

Anyone managed to get tickets this morning? Was in right at 10am and when I tried to add a superb ticket to my cart the site crashed. :@

[rpvee 806]

5 minutes ago, Foxfan said:

Anyone managed to get tickets this morning? Was in right at 10am and when I tried to add a superb ticket to my cart the site crashed. :@

Crashed for me too but seems to be better now. Just got second row on the left!

[Foxfan 128]

Yep finally got one row F a little on the left and got a confirmation. There was one available dead center in the same row but lost it when the site crashed. Looks like it's back now if somebody wants it.

 

Left side should be good to see the interplay between Williams and Mutter.

 

Pricing was alright (about $120).

[Ian Stouffer 17]

Just got tickets for me, my sister and my mom. Can't wait to see him in concert!

[rpvee 806]

23 minutes ago, Foxfan said:

Yep finally got one row F a little on the left and got a confirmation. There was one available dead center in the same row but lost it when the site crashed. Looks like it's back now if somebody wants it.

 

Left side should be good to see the interplay between Williams and Mutter.

 

Pricing was alright (about $120).

Nice seat!

 

Yeah, this pricing is much more what I’m using to for Williams, even with special guests. The upcoming NYC and Philly prices are ridiculous, especially the latter!

[Foxfan 128]

Yeah when I saw it was a "benefit concert" I was a little worried that it might be in the $400s like I paid in New York in April (at the end of a year-long gap year I just finished paying off two weeks ago)!

 

In Philadelphia it was close to $200 in 2022, which given current exchange rates was already tough on a Canadian's wallet.

[Ian Stouffer 17]

One piece I really hope to hear is the Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra, which is one that is rarely heard in concert (with Berlin being the exception).

[Foxfan 128]

Yeah I think the Williams part of the program will probably be arrangements from the Across the Stars CD, given Anne-Sophie Mutter's appearance. I hope they do Sabrina!

 

Helena's Theme is pretty much a given.

[Tom 4,670]

31 minutes ago, Foxfan said:

Yeah I think the Williams part of the program will probably be arrangements from the Across the Stars CD, given Anne-Sophie Mutter's appearance. I hope they do Sabrina!

 

Helena's Theme is pretty much a given.

They will throw in some non-Mutter pieces to let her rest.  Probably some opening fanfare, a middle piece, and end with Throne Room.  

[pete 907]

I think there's always hope he'll premier a new arrangement. Mutter did say Williams was working on more - just not clear if she was only refering to Helena's Theme.

[Miguel Andrade 1,263]

Upcoming concert to be broadcast at Stage+

https://www.stage-plus.com/video/live_concert_9HKNCPA3DTN66PBIEHFJAC1M

[Jay 37,373]

Nice!

[Tom 4,670]

Pretty cool having a concert with Williams splitting the bill with Beethoven.  

[rpvee 806]

Who else is going tomorrow?

[Foxfan 128]

3 hours ago, rpvee said:

Who else is going tomorrow?

I am! I just arrived in Pittsburgh today.

 

Anyone up for a pre-concert drink or (cheap eats) dinner?

 

Do we know more about the program Williams will be leading in the second half?

[Ricard 2,245]

 

8 hours ago, MaxTheHouseelf said:

Apparently there will be a live interview with ASM and John Williams today. Can somebody from the US record it maybe?

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0t-t5CMe9U/

 

[rpvee 806]

Program:

 

Susanna Mälkki Conducts: 

Ludwig Van Beethoven: Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, Opus 43 
 

Ludwig Van Beethoven: Concerto in C major for Piano, Violin, Cello, and Orchestra, Opus 56, "Triple Concerto ( Anne-Sophie Mutter, Pablo Ferrández & Yefim Bronfman)

Intermission 

John Williams Conducts: 
 

John Williams: "The Duel" from The Adventures of Tintin (Anne-Sophie Mutter & Pablo Ferrández) 
 

John Williams: "Helena's Theme" from Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (Anne-Sophie Mutter) 
 

John Williams: "Scherzo for Violin and Motorcycle" from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Anne-Sophie Mutter)
 

John Williams: "Raiders March" from Raiders of the Lost Ark 
 

John Williams: "Across the Stars" (Love Theme from Star Wars Episode II) (Anne-Sophie Mutter)
 

John Williams: "Rey's Theme" from Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Anne-Sophie Mutter) 
 

John Williams: "Anakin's Theme" from The Phantom Menace (Anne-Sophie Mutter) 
 

John Williams: "The Imperial March" (Darth Vader's Theme) from The Empire Strikes Back
 

John Williams: "Scherzo for Violin and Motorcycle" from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Anne-Sophie Mutter) 
 

John Williams: "The Imperial March" (Darth Vader's Theme) from The Empire Strikes Back

 

https://dpb-web.instantencore.com/program/44368/mutter-williams--friends/page/103523/program-listing?cid=5099677

 

Hell of a program, and the Maestro is conducting way more of it than I expected. How exciting! Curious that the Scherzo is listed twice, wonder which one is the mistake and what’s supposed to be there instead.

 

Clip of Raiders March rehearsal:

 

https://instagram.com/stories/itsbrandonmax/3255705932792364674?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[Taikomochi 1,136]

Scherzo for violin and motorcycle? Has that been debuted elsewhere? I don’t recall hearing of that ASM arrangement before now.

[Tom 4,670]

42 minutes ago, Taikomochi said:

Scherzo for violin and motorcycle? Has that been debuted elsewhere? I don’t recall hearing of that ASM arrangement before now.

Sounds like a new one.  

[Mr. Hooper 1,801]

Williams is looking and sounding energetic in that video! Wishing all of you going a great time!

[pete 907]

4 hours ago, Taikomochi said:

Scherzo for violin and motorcycle? Has that been debuted elsewhere? I don’t recall hearing of that ASM arrangement before now.

 

That and Anakin's Theme. Hopefully a new album is in the works!

[BB-8 3,482]

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2023/12/11/amanpour-mutter-williams.cnn

John Williams and Anne-Sophie Mutter: Music takes us to a spiritual place | CNN

[JTN 2,042]

8 hours ago, rpvee said:

Curious that the Scherzo is listed twice

So is the Imperial March.

[Pawel P. 738]

6 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Williams is looking and sounding energetic in that video! Wishing all of you going a great time!

 

Yes, he looks at least a few years younger than during his Oscar interviews in the spring, and he is also full of joyful energy.  

[aj_vader 534]

I know there will be a number of you bored of hearing The Imperial March at every concert... BUT NOT ME!!! 🤩

 

I'd trade it for the Battle of Hoth though, imagine that live (without the bombardment of sound effects). ❤️

[Tom 4,670]

That is as happy and articulate as I have seen him in an interview--great stuff.  The interviewer was painful, especially at the beginning.  

[BB-8 3,482]

2 hours ago, Tom said:

The interviewer was painful, especially at the beginning.  

 

"Saving Private Lion" ;-)

 

[Tom 4,670]

1 minute ago, BB-8 said:

 

"Saving Private Lion" ;-)

 

I found the part about Mutter playing the "Classics" cringeworthy.  

[BB-8 3,482]

The interviewer also cunningly prevents JW from telling the "all-dead" anecdote again by saying:

 

"I mean, let's face it: all the-the...the classics you play, you know the composers are no longer with us..."

 

 

[Ian Stouffer 17]

Can't wait to hear the world premiere of Scherzo for Violin and Motorcycle! Last Crusade is my favorite of the Indiana Jones films, and I even have an original poster for it.

[Tom 4,670]

Luckily for you, you will get to hear it twice.

Luckily for you, you will get to hear it twice.  

[BB-8 3,482]

JW: You need greater classics for this.

SS: I know, but the composers are no longer with us.

[Foxfan 128]

8 hours ago, aj_vader said:

I know there will be a number of you bored of hearing The Imperial March at every concert... BUT NOT ME!!! 🤩

 

I'd trade it for the Battle of Hoth though, imagine that live (without the bombardment of sound effects). ❤️

What I’d really like to hear is a concert arrangement from Rise of Skywalker or The Fabelmans. I don’t think there has been one performed in concert yet.

[Jay 37,373]

Many Rise of Skywalker concert arrangements have been performed in various concerts.

There doesn't exist a Fabelmans concert arrangement for concerts yet

[Foxfan 128]

Oh, well the pandemic made me miss a lot of concerts and so far haven’t heard it in Philly 2022, NY Phil April 2023 or Tanglewood 2023.

 

So how many of y’all are in Pittsburgh tonight?

[Jay 37,373]

None of the Rise of Skywalker concert arrangements (there's 4 of them) have actually been conducted in a concert by Williams himself yet!

 

Only by other conductors.

Why?  Who knows...

[rpvee 806]

4 minutes ago, Foxfan said:

So how many of y’all are in Pittsburgh tonight?

Me!

[Toronto 3]

I literally have one ticket that's going to go to waste tonight. My daughter could not come with me to see this concert. The ticket is in row j which is fairly close to the front.

 

If there's anybody reading this that wishes to be in this concert tonight and can meet me outside of Heinz Hall, I can sell it for a reduced price and in you go!

 

I will not have internet access once I leave my airbnb.   I will be here till about 5:00 p.m. then I'm starting to head over to Heinz Hall.  

 

Also here is some more promotion I found on the internet about the concert:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wtae.com/amp/article/john-williams-pittsburgh-symphony-orchestra/46098489

[blondheim 1,157]

I just bought my ticket. I wish I had seen this! But I am fairly excited. When his last Pittsburgh concert got cancelled, I thought there went my chance. I had forgotten this was happening. I’m glad I was able to secure a ticket.

 

VERY excited about the new arrangements for violin. Those are two of my favorite compositions and I’m a big fan of the Williams-Mutter arrangements. Bring it on.

[Toronto 3]

Glad you can come!   It's a great opportunity.  The next two concerts he's involved in are nowhere near this cheap.... Need to grab this while we can!

 

https://www.wtae.com/article/john-williams-pittsburgh-symphony-orchestra/46098489

[blondheim 1,157]

38 minutes ago, Foxfan said:

So how many of y’all are in Pittsburgh tonight?

Also me!

[Ian Stouffer 17]

I bought tickets the day they went on sale. Can't wait till 7:30

[Toronto 3]

I'm at the Starbucks across the street from Heinz Hall...if someone wants one ticket, ten rows from the front for a steep discount let me know.  The event is sold out.  You would be sitting right behind me so this is legit.

[Tom 4,670]

To those lucky few attending, enjoy the show! 

 

I saw him perform in Pittsburgh a couple of times--stunningly gorgeous hall.  

[Foxfan 128]

Found a good (and affordable) Greek place to eat (Christo’s) on Sixth. 
 

Afterwards I think I’ll pop over to RedBeard’s on Sixth for a beer (or two) before the show, with Heinz Hall just across the street 

[Lockdown 238]

I'm across the street too!

[blondheim 1,157]

I will be soon if you guys wanna grab a drink and toast the maestro 

Redbeards is it, everyone?