TL 11: Inspired

Tonight we took Rusty (Peter’s mom) to the concert of the Grand Teton Music Festival at Teton Village. While Jackson may be best-known for its recreational opportunities, it’s always good to be reminded of its cultural wealth, too. 

Have to tell you, there’s something about hearing a 100-piece orchestra at its best — it brought me to tears.

The program was called “Russian Masters,” conducted by British maestro Mark Wigglesworth.

First up was Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30, featuring the amazing Stephen Hough on the piano; he played the entire 40-minute piece by memory. It was truly a leap-out-of-your-seat experience, as described in this review of his appearance with the Seattle Symphony a couple months ago.

I’ve never seen an orchestra soloist give an encore; what a treat.

After the too-short intermission, which gave the entire audience a chance to gasp out a “wow” and take a much-needed fresh-air break, came Ravel’s Ma mère l’oye  (the “Mother Goose Suite”), which starts with one of my longtime favorite movements, the lovely short but intense Pavane de la belle au bois dormant.

And even though I wasn’t sure the night’s music could get any better, the third and final piece was Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky, orchestrated by Ravel, with its many memorable parts and stirring finale.

All through the drive home, and conversation in the car, the melody is still ringing in my ears.

The Music Festival, like all the live music presented in this area each summer — including  this weekend’s Bluegrass Festival, at Grand Targhee, Music on Main in Victor (which closes out this week with the Young Dubliners) — is truly a treasured part of  life in the Tetons.