Last week I had the great opportunity to go to a luncheon and performance at Symphony Hall here in Boston. The luncheon was for the Walter Piston Society named for Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and noted musician Walter Piston. (The Piston Society recognizes and honors those who have provided for the future of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, or Tanglewood through one of a variety of irrevocable deferred gifts, or by including the BSO in their long-term plans.)
The luncheon was fabulous! Held in a small private dining room, we were served a frise salad with herb coated goat cheese balls, toasted pine nuts and citrus fruit. The main course was poached sea bass in a beurre blanc, roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes. Dessert was strawberry cheesecake and some small chocolate goodies. It was like heaven. The bass melted in your mouth, it was cooked perfectly.
After lunch we were ushered into the concert hall. Symphony Hall was finished in 1900. An MIT student designed the acoustics of the building. It was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1999, and it was then noted "Symphony Hall remains, acoustically, among the top three concert halls in the world and is considered the finest in the United States." There are 16 gold statues of Greek and Roman gods (which was interesting just having finished Ancient Greek History).
The performance was Bartók, Martinů and Dvořák. It was very dynamic! The whole day was wonderful. Great food, fabulous art and architecture, and incredible music!
