Why the Blog?

My name is David Gottlieb, and I am the editor of this new student-oriented eZseatU blog. I started this blog originally in December 2006 as a Facebook newsletter entitled "Nights on the Symphony." It was meant to let fellow students know about upcoming concerts, how college tickets worked for the orchestra (eZseatU has been a blessing in that regard), and to try and explain in layman terms what makes a particular concert special. A substantial issue with classical music is that the titles are cryptic to one without pre-existent knowledge. 'Symphony No. X', 'Concerto for Solo ____ and Orchestra' - what differentiates one from the next is minimal on paper, instead relying on a knowledge of history and style that is often not delineated.

Ironically, this beforehand knowledge is not a barrier of entry to classical music - a form that can be immediately enjoyed by anyone, without any prior knowledge. Rather, this lack of explanation can enact a barrier preventing people from understanding what type of music will be played at a concert, as 'classical music' has not been anywhere near as static as its title suggests - what we consider the the 'classical era' ended nearly two centuries ago. As such, I hope my posts can help illuminate what makes these concerts special and unique - and worth your time. There are so many 'Symphony No. 5's worth listening to, but if one is unaware of the differences between Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, & Sibelius (to name a few composers of completely different nationalities and time periods who all wrote excellent fifth symphonies), there is less of a chance one would go to the concert in the first place. As such, I hope I can be your eyes, pointing out what I consider the crème de la crème of the Philadelphia Orchestra's repertoire this season, while giving you context as to why particular concerts deserve your attention.

Lastly, my views do not reflect the views of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The opinions contained within this blog should be seen solely as my own. Feel free to look out for me at concerts, as I try to go as often as I can, and I hope my recommendations lead to some fun times on your end, whether a night out with friends, a great place to impress a date, or just to pique your curiosity about the wondrous world of classical music, played by one of the finest orchestras in the business. Enjoy!

--David Gottlieb