Should I stay, or should I go?

[George K]

I just got a letter from the Chicago Symphony asking me to renew my subscription for the coming year. Program looks pretty good (though I'll probably swap out of a couple of concerts). They are saving my seat for the upcoming 2022-2023 season. That seat is lower balcony, third row, three seats from the center aisle (great seat!).

However, because of COVID, etc., Mrs. George is worried about safety, etc.

Of course, safety in walking in The Loop is another issue. I'd probably cab it from Symphony Center to the train at 9:30 rather than walking.

So, should I stay home, or renew my subscription?

[George K]

Oh, on the program...

• Trifonov plays Rach 3.
• Hillary Hahn does the Tchaikovsky violin concerto.
• Schubert #9.
• Bartok Concerto for Orchestra.
• Mahler #5.
• Pines of Rome

I'll swap out Carmina Burana and "Amadeus" (in which the orchestra plays the music while the movie plays.

[Mik]

How comfortable are you in a crowd like that? The thing I would also be thinking about is helping support them in a very tough time - which it will be for a while yet.

We've given money to several theater groups around town that we want to see preserved.

[jon-nyc]

Get them and take Ken when your wife doesn’t want to go.

I was at Carnegie in March. Stay boosted, mask up, and live your life.

[Mik]

At some point that becomes the only thing to do.

[George K]

@jon-nyc said in Should I stay, or should I go?:

Get them and take Ken when your wife doesn’t want to go.

I was at Carnegie in March. Stay boosted and live your life.

Plan to boost (2nd booster) soon. By September, hopefully things will settle down.

I suppose I can renew, and if things go down the crapper, cancel.

By the way, this seat is already paid for and "in the bank."

[Klaus]

@George-K said in Should I stay, or should I go?:

So, should I stay home, or renew my subscription?

Is that even a question?

Get your ass in that symphony hall!

[Horace]

I would stay home.

[Copper]

Stream it

Then go for a train ride during the day to avoid the Loop walk

[George K]

@Copper said in Should I stay, or should I go?:

Stream it

Nope.

One of the things I hated about Ravinia (an outdoor venue where the CSO plays during the summer) is the whole "I'm going to get some wine and sit on the grass and listen to classical music...over loudspeakers."

As I said, if I want to listen to music outdoors over speakers, I'll go up to the deck of my condo and stream some shit.

[Copper]

Yes, I agree. For some reason my flat screen sound bar doesn't match concert hall acoustics.

[Axtremus]

If you’ve got nothing better to do, go!

[kluurs]

I missed the last time Muti did the Carmina Burana. I think it was in his first season. It got rave reviews. As for Ravinia - I'm not a fan unless sitting in the Pavilion. Sitting on the lawn being eaten by bugs while listening to idiots talking next to one is not my ideal way of spending an evening. Add to it the joy of that parking lot and a long drive - and I start to feel like an old fart.

I can listen to the music on a better sound system in my living room.

[George K]

@kluurs said in Should I stay, or should I go?:

I missed the last time Muti did the Carmina Burana. I think it was in his first season. It got rave reviews.

Never been a huge fan of the work, so it's a "nope" from me.

As for Ravinia - I'm not a fan unless sitting in the Pavilion. Sitting on the lawn being eaten by bugs while listening to idiots talking next to one is not my ideal way of spending an evening.

I can listen to the music on a better sound system in my living room.

Yeah, but your sound system cost more, so, there's that.