If Music Be The Food of Love?

What is life without some kind of music? A simple sound produced rhythmically may also be called music. So, the subjectiveness of the issue, as to what is good or not good, or what is enjoyable or not enjoyable is so ambivalent.

Had various chats this week about music with different people. Attended my music class like usual, and grumbled to my teacher that why can't I sing songs I like? Why do I have to do Italian songs, and what nots, but truthfully, I do know why - to improve my technique and learn the styles of various composers, be it in English, Italian, German or even French. (Chinese? I tried once, and my teacher vowed never to give me another Chinese song - I literally butchered the pronounciation!). :P

To be honest, some of the Italian songs are very, very beautiful. Some are pretty hard to sing, as I haven't gotten the technique and stamina down properly yet. Personally, I enjoy singing musicals more, but critically, I do agree that there is something "missing" in these musicals. How can such compare to the likes of Vaughan Williams and even Roger Quilter? Sigh...

Another person I had a short chat about music in general, knows heaps lots more than me. She lent me two books to have a look at from her vast array of music collection (yeah, she's a musican at heart and in real life, whereas I "do" music as a hobby). Yes, a simple plainchant or gregorian chant can also do wonders for the soul. Have you heard of "GRUNT"? It is a pigorian chant. Very good. :)

So, hearing that there will be a concert staged by a local group which is reasonably well known in KL, and singing various songs from musicals to boot!, and knowing two people out of twelve who were singing, sort of decided it for me to go.

Now, I have heard this group perform before in 2004, but this was a smaller concert and comprised just a select few from the larger choir. I sort of enjoyed their 2004 performance, and was hoping that I would enjoy this one too.

After attending the just over 2-hour session (including break!), what can I say? Did I like it? SURE, it has its moments. Was it worth the price of the ticket of RM30 (about US$8.80) ? Well, that's debatable. I think it was, but I wouldn't pay more. Call me stingy or what, but like I said, music is highly subjective as to its appreciativeness. However, it is not only the music, but like any property investor would say, "location, location, location!".

I always remember a phrase from the show Bambi - "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all". Hmm.. I suppose I can be like many and just go, "Hey! It's good! Thoroughly enjoyable!", but I would be lying between my teeth. Like I said, it has its good, and not so good moments. When I went over to congratulate my two friends, I told them "Not bad, not bad" and smiled and left it like that. But BW who knows me better, and know that I can be quite critical even with my limited knowledge, asked me what I REALLY thought of it, and I promised that I would give him my proper feedback. Actually, I was half hearted about posting this, but since I promised, here goes nothing:

What I didn't like about the concert
1. Location - even with the aircon and fans on, I still felt a bit hot.
2. Location - stage too small, limiting performance ability.
3. Location - not enough car parks. I had to park on the side of the main road.
4. Sound system - first half was a tad soft, and the sound was muffled. I purposely sat right at the back. Second half, the overall volume was boosted a bit (so I reckon I wasn't the only one who made this comment then), and not as muffled.
5. Pitchy in parts by some singers, one particular tenor especially.
6. Summertime was butchered by too much vibrato in the voice. Alas, I also discussed the issue of using vibrato and the necessity of it all with someone during the week, especially holding long notes and coming from using "the support". However, this took it to an extreme level, where each note which came out of the mouth had so much vibrato. Admittedly, the soprano had power in her voice and can reach those super high notes, but for me, I guess I am fussy with the quality of sound produced. Not ALL notes need a warble.
7. Not enough contrast in certain songs between the loudness and the softness. Again, this is musicality and highly subjective.
8. Lack of energy / intensity in most of the songs, even the catchy ones, although the second half was slightly better.
9. Quite a bit of "syok sendiri", or personal enjoyment of the singers, but failed to draw the audiences' attention (well, for me anyway). More like the singers were just going through the various motions. However, there were of course, some exceptions (who were pretty good).
10. Altos were unmemorable. Not projecting at all in terms of vocals. Even when one walked pass me, I could hear the bass behind her better (is it the mic? I doubt it).
11. Sopranos hogged all the limelight. Hey! What about the poor altos? Some musicals actually have beautiful alto lines.
12. Blend, those few rare beautiful acapella songs could have done with better blending. Voices literally stuck out in parts. Could be the mics, but I could still hear the various warbles.

What I liked about the concert
1. Some wonderful solo bits, especially for "Bridge Over Troubled Water", so much emotion.
2. Good blend of male voices, but overpowered by the sopranos.
3. "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" was well done, although let down by the mic a bit.
4. Very friendly front of house.
5. Light at the Piazza was very well done.

Hey, but like I said, it's highly subjective and what do I know? I am sure there are those who thoroughly enjoyed themselves, but alas, I was not one of them. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, albeit in bits and pieces... Kudos to the group though, for putting in all the hard work. Never easy, and I recognise the huge effort and time spent rehearsing, etc. On that note, I can safely say, "well done!".