Happiness. Is that not what we are all looking for?
Well, look no further because Igudesman & Joo are serving happiness on a silver orchestral platter for you. Each serving of music comes with a boost of happiness that will leave you immunised against all the problems of the world- well at least for a good seventy minutes or so. Here is a selection of happy delights that await you.
Joyful Variations
An electrifying set of variations for symphony orchestra and soloists on themes from the ninth Symphony. Each variation is treated with a national flair and cultural pizzazz from nine different countries, taking one on a musical kaleidoscopic journey that goes around the globe from Bonn to Boston and back.
This piece takes Beethoven’s and Schiller’s motto of all humans being brothers and sisters and sends it to travel around the world. Think ‘Beethoven on the road’. The percussion section are the heroes of this piece and are featured in a way that has probably never been done before in a symphonic work. The journey starts in the concert hall and then, with no travel restrictions, jets off making nine stops in Asia, Ireland, the Middle East, Spain, Eastern Europe, Africa, North America, South America and back to your very own seat. You may even be asked to leave your seat and join the musicians on stage to dance to Beethoven’s 9th in Salsa style! All abiding with social distancing guidelines of course.
So, bring your passport, boarding passes, and carry-on, and enjoy the sensational ride.
Happy
And to top off your happy meal of musical fun, Igudesman & Joo perform arguably the happiest song of the century so far, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Of course, the way of the I&J means incorporating mashups of Mozart and Strauss into the song, making it an even happier experience. And if after the concert you are hooked on happiness, there is even a 24 hour music video of “Happy”, so now you can really be happy all day long.
As Igudesman and Joo says, “Music makes Happy”, and there will be no shortage of happy music with the “Happy Concert”.
Prior to our thanksgiving concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Manfred Honeck and the dynamic duo Igudesman and Joo, there was much scepticism within the organization as to how the orchestra and audience would react. However, our minds were put at ease the minute they arrived! They were incredibly professional, obviously very talented, and provided a breath of fresh air for the orchestra and PSO staff. It was such a joy to have them with us, and we received such great feedback from our patrons and the musicians that we immediately reinvited them to join us for a special concert with the orchestra the following year!
“The incredible performance/workshop of Igudesman and Joo… was the best visiting educational experience that I have witnessed in my 31 years of teaching in public education.
Over 780 performing arts students… were exposed to musicianship, self-confidence building, kinesthetic learning, and different cultural perspectives that spoke to everyone in the auditorium at different and memorable levels.
… Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this wonderful event. You have touched many lives today, with your passion for music and the arts.“
“Their blend of classical music and comedy, laced with pop culture references and a wholly novel take on the word slapstick, is fueled by genuine, dazzling virtuosity.”