Mannheim Steamroller Concert

It was a wonderful evening with family and friends. The Atwood Hall was packed, and we were second row center in the mezzanine - a great view, close enough to see facial expressions.

The temperature outside was in single digits, and it was snowing all evening. I can't imagine a better way to see a Christmas holiday concert.

This was the West Coast touring company consisting of five guys, at least two of whom are original members of the group. They were supplemented by nine folks from the Anchorage Symphony on strings, woodwind, Baroque trumpet (in D, for those who are keeping score) and a French horn.

The lighting was as good as you would expect, but the added bonus was video on the back wall of the stage, with scenes clearly done for their concerts. Many of the songs were accompanied by a Renaissance-style Madrigal dinner scene, which reminded my wife and I of doing such things in college. Lovely.

One piece featured scenes of a horseman riding hard through fields and forest (think "Denys Moore" a la Monty Python). There were only two pieces which we'd not heard before - "Above the Northern Lights" and "Messengers of Christmas".

It was wonderful to see and hear all their music performed live, and see how much fun the performers had with it. We enjoyed it immensely. The audience of Alaskan was very, very appreciative, as we don't get many front-line acts up here; several standing ovations, and three encores. It was GREAT.