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| World of Sound Greets the New Bass Concert Hall |
| Written by Laurie Lyons | |
 Concert features UT symphony, ensembles, and electro-dance freakout Ghostland Observatory. The seats of Bass Concert Hall have been empty since May 2007, as renovation construction has been transforming this University of Texas cultural institution into something more comfortable and modern. Cue World of Sound, one of the first nights of activity that Bass has seen in 20 months (the first show was a John Legend concert Jan. 23). On Friday, January  30, this special evening of music is full of a diverse array of performances that will appeal to seasoned classical concert-goers, as well as modern music fans, and everyone in between.The World of Sound concert pulls together some serious talent, from the student to the professional, as The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, UT Wind Ensemble, and UT Choral Ensembles gather for a rare collaboration. They welcome some special guests including mezzo-soprano Frederica Von Stade, “one of America’s finest artists and singers,” according to the New York Times, as well as hugely accomplished bass-baritone Samuel Ramey. Mezzo-soprano and civil rights pioneer Barbara Conrad and Butler Music Professor Jeff Helmer help to round out the special guest list. Meanwhile, the proverbial twist in this classical cocktail is Austin electro-pop duo Ghostland Observatory. Symphony Conductor Gerhardt Zimmermann, who put together a good portion of the evening’s music, notes that “you’re not going to get a more varied program from the diverse groups that are being presented on this concert.” He also looks at this at times patriotic and emotionally charged evening as another opportunity for the university’s Symphony Orchestra to leave their usual home at Bates Hall in order to garner some new fans. “It’s wonderful that UTSO is being rediscovered with our performances,” Zimmermann reflects. The program includes Howard Hanson’s “Song of Democracy,” Joseph Schwantner’s “Daybreak of Freedom,” featuring Barbara Conrad reciting the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a performance of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird.” The evening isn’t all about symphonic sounds, though. Recently added to the program is an encore performance by one of Austin’s most popular bands, Ghostland Observatory. The eclectic, indefinable duo play an amalgamation of electronica, dance, pop, and rock, a medley that propelled Ghostland from the Austin underground to a prominent spot in the national indie rock spotlight. As part of this groundbreaking Wall of Sound concert, they will find themselves in front of a new audience, as well as giving their fanbase a chance to see them in a new light. “There’s a lot of classical performances, and I think they [UT Performing Arts Center] wanted to…have the classical stuff, but have also a little bit more modern and contemporary lighting and things going on. And having us would totally make it way different,” Ghostland producer/drummer Thomas Turner said. They will be performing three songs from their 2008 album Robotique Majestique, accompanied by the UT Wind Ensemble, and their final song will feature over 150 people on one stage as the UT Marching Band squeezes in. This won’t be the first time that Ghostland has made room for UT students, however, as the marching band also performed with them at their CD release party at Austin Music Hall in February of 2008. Ghostland fans will be happy to know that they just finished building a new studio, and plan to “hibernate and be creative” throughout the winter, working on new material and a new record this winter, then probably touring throughout the spring and summer. An added bonus to this diverse program is a lecture hosted by the Performing Arts Center, featuring UT music professor Robert DeSimone. His lecture, entitled “Putting it all Together,” will be hosted in one of the Bass Hall lobbies starting at 7pm. Ticket holders just need to show up early.  Photo: Mark Rutkowski Of course, as much as the concert, the concert hall itself is part of the spectacle. When patrons are finding their seats on Friday night, they’ll notice an entirely different Bass Concert Hall than the 27-year-old building they were accustomed to. A glass-front façade greets visitors as they approach, yielding to light-filled atrium lobbies on each floor. A café, member lounge with a deck, and lobby-width terrace on the top floor makes it even more comfortable; the top terrace provides a panoramic view overlooking the UT campus. State-of-the-art acoustics along with new flooring, walls, and décor help welcome the eyes and ears. And finally, more restrooms, bars, and concession areas make the hall more functional and accommodating for those rushing back from mingling to whatever world-class performance is waiting for them inside. To sneak a peek at the new Bass, you don’t have to wait to attend one of the performances that make up the 2009 season. You are welcome to tour the facility on Tuesday, January 27th at 6pm. No RSVP needed, just show up at the front doors approximately 30 minutes before tour time. Tickets to the World of Sound range from $28 to $56, and are still available. They can be purchased online here. |
