Cheapskate’s Guide to Boston Summer: Boston Landmarks Orchestra

The Boston Landmarks Orchestra brings classical music to the masses alfresco and gratis

If, as spinsters the world over seem to concur, hunger truly is the best sauce, I would pin best spice squarely on free-ness. Dropping some “free” on what some might ordinarily find bland or stale — classical music, say, or trial subscriptions to Us Weekly — ups the enticement astronomically without fail. Tack on the unbeatable location of the Esplanade waterfront, and the Boston Landmarks Orchestra just might beckon you to plop down on a Wednesday for an hour of some high culture sans sticker shock.

The ten-years venerable Landmarks, one of only a handful of professional orchestras to perform solely pro bono, consistently pack the Hatch Shell lawn with thousands of Bostonians of all shades — the classical devotees who stake their picnic claims hours before sound check, joggers taking a break from their circuits along the Esplanade, and, of course, the cheapskates like myself willing to try most free things once.

The Landmarks command a full lawn at a Wednesday night concert | Photo by Shawn Musgrave

Being distinctly unqualified to critique or meaningfully comment on musicianship or form, I can nonetheless report that the Boston Landmarks are perfectly and beautifully orchestra-ey in every way imaginable. By the sound of it, all instruments and sections are accounted for, and they invariably play songs (movements?) of just such length that I just start to feel antsy by the crescendo. But an outdoor classical concert trumps any held in the best symphony hall. Having paid nary a cent for admission, I feel no guilt for allowing my mind to wander at length or my gaze to roam the 9,000 strong crowd, or for getting up mid-Tchaikovsky for a snow cone. Instead of perching straight-backed in a mezzanine seat, I can sprawl on a blanket and conduct clouds across the sky, no starched collars to strain against or armrest skirmishes to wage. The Pops can keep their perfectly engineered acoustics and their still, silent, and tuxedo-clad patrons. I’ll take my Vivaldi on the Hatch Shell, please.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N-RsOG2DJE

Video by Shawn Musgrave

The Boston Landmarks Orchestra performs every Wednesday through August at the Esplanade Hatch Shell. Details for each week’s concert can be found here.

About Shawn Musgrave

Shawn Musgrave is a senior studying economics and global development.

View all posts by Shawn Musgrave →

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