This orchestra is conducted by a dinosaur

This orchestra is conducted by a dinosaur

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norman lebrecht

April 15, 2017

This is the Colorado Symphony performing John Williams’ theme from Jurassic Park this week.

The conductor was Christopher Dragon, apparently. No fire was breathed.

Comments

  • Ungeheuer says:

    Such a brilliant way to attract new audiences to classical music …………. NOT.
    It’s the dinosaurs, stupid.

  • Maria says:

    Is this another example of the “buzz” that London apparently needs?

  • Alexander Davidson says:

    Before sneering, people should check the context in which this performance took place. It was an event at a recent Comic Con (or at any rate to coincide with Comic Con). All the music was from films or video games, and several players in the orchestra, as well as many of the audience, were in costumes too. That is what happens at a Comic Con. Actually, it would be strange if people were not dressed up. Take a look on YouTube. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra has done several of these concerts before. It all looks like good fun, and the conductor’s dinosaur costume was remarkable only for being even more elaborate than the more familiar costumes. You can only object to this sort of thing if you think that serious classical musicians have no business performing film music (which would mean abandoning a lot of great repertoire) and if you think that serious classical musicians have no business engaging in anything that may resemble fun or entertainment.

  • keithwilliamsoncomposer@gmail.com says:

    The music is by nature always going to be lightweight, why do we need to blame the conductor here?

  • T-Rex says:

    Not the only orchestra ever to be conducted by a dinosaur.

  • Mr Oakmountain says:

    I remember a couple of concert videos from my childhood featuring Karajanosaurus Rex.

  • Fred says:

    There’s a lot of great jokes above! I agree that this concert is all about fun. It’s good to see audience and orchestra alike enjoying it.

    This topic and its responses are a lovely break from the same-old, same-old negativity that so often affects this website.

  • Jonathan Sutherland says:

    Fafner or Fasolt on the podium? Not such a bad idea.

  • Son of Dragon says:

    Too bad it’s the conductor who went viral not the symphony, a major blunder on the part of Colorado Symphony’s PR/Social Media team

  • Jill says:

    I think this is a very amusing and good-natured performance. Clearly this was a special occasion, and I understand that costumes were worn by many participants. Christopher Dragon shows an excellent sense of humour and respect for the subject of the music.

    The audience loved it, and clearly the orchestra members did too.

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