Hannah Ketcham I attended the Grand Rapids Symphony.

The musical repertoire for the evening included four pieces: Dukass The Sorcerers Apprentice, Ravels A Boat on the Ocean, Debussys The Sea, and Tchaikovskys Symphony NO. 4 in F minor, Op 36. These four pieces reflect a wide range of lifestyles, emotions, and experiences from the composers that find their expression through the music. One piece has a specific story line to tell of magic and enchantment. Others are the reflection of years of struggle and doubt now come to triumph. Still some speak of love and passions. I learned a lot from reading the brief histories given about the musical pieces. It enabled me to experience the story of which the music was an expression. I enjoyed being drawn into this story through the sounds resounding within my ears. Symphonic music contains impeccable order, conduct, and calculated precision, which I like because of the Creator it glorifies and reflects. With a great number of different instruments, there is a wonderful blend of individual color or tone. This makes up a diverse, yet united voice. The range of pitch that was used was extensive, from the deep sound of double bass, to the tiny triangle so light and high. As the musicians lean and sway over strings and percussion, woodwind and brass, their instruments swell with volume big and loud, only to plummet to a soft and subtle sound. The push and pull of the tempo comes in and out, slow then fast, as the violinists move their bows vigorously across the strings. I have enjoyed these elements telling the story so richly, with depth. Such extensive use of the elements of sound has created a depth of experience and captured an immense range of expressions.