Lincoln Center Stage

[Jimbo59]

HAL has Lincoln Center Stage on many ships and is rolling it out on more. There is usually a piano quintet (piano, two violins, viola, and cello). Programs range from pop music arranged for the piano quintet (Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin) to serious classical pieces (Brahms piano quintet).

 

The performers are usually young musicians, programs are developed by HAL, and seem to appear across the fleet ( we have seen the same programs on three different ships.). Programs are about 40 minutes, and there are two or three programs most days.

 

For anyone who enjoys classical music, Lincoln Center Stage is a great addition to HAL cruises.

[avian777]

Thanks, Jimbo59, for this very nice overview on LCS.  IMO it is one of HAL's best additions ever!!!

Edited February 13, 2019 by avian777

[Aquahound]

LCS certainly is a nice amenity on HAL.  My only problem with it on K'dam was the location.  There was so much noise from the casino above and from people walking through; it took away from the experience.  

 

In my opinion, LCS would be made perfect if in the Crows Nest.  

Edited February 13, 2019 by Aquahound

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for giving us a great overview of the Lincoln Center Stage.

[Jimbo59]

1 hour ago, Aquahound said:

LCS certainly is a nice amenity on HAL.  My only problem with it on K'dam was the location.  There was so much noise from the casino above and from people walking through; it took away from the experience.  

 

In my opinion, LCS would be made perfect if in the Crows Nest.  

On Nieuw Statendam, Lincoln Center Stage shares the large space with BB Kings (not at the same time, of course).

[OlsSalt]

My issue with the Lincoln Center program is the playlists that apparently come from headquarters on their i-pads. They ask classically  trained musicians to play too many "popular" non-classical selections, which unfortunately they do badly. Which deprives the classical music audience the opportunity to listen to what they do extremely well - classical music.

 

Even "light classical" - those familiar pieces that have worked their way into popular entertainment would be welcome for the variety, , but medleys from the world of  rock music or broadway shows was an acute embarrassment for them to play, and for us to hear.

[richwmn]

I have listened to LCS on this cruise, Nieuw Statendam, several times. Even when they are playing adaptations of Rock songs they seem to be enjoying themselves. They are very accomplished musicians and are a pleasure to listen to whatever they are playing at any given time.

 

[Jimbo59]

Some of us find the pop music arrangements for piano quintet really interesting. Not at all an embarrassment. 

 

They do play the Brahms and other piano quintets - at least three programs per cruise.

[OlsSalt]

My recent Lincoln Center experience on the Eurodam - paltry attendances when playing non-classical sets, and  full house standing ovations when playing classical sets. Even the performers looked embarrassed playing the non-classical sets.

 

Worst part was the "popular"  pieces were almost unrecognizable so it failed on multiple levels on that particular cruise.   YMMV - different ships, different groups, different audiences.

 

Hope this is an evolving project- because it has been a very nice professional introduction to the evening music options.

[wales4ever]

Always our pre dinner venue.  A slurp and strings...... mmmmm  🙂

[grsnovi]

Let's try this again... 

As a previous season subscriber to our symphony as well as our chamber music offerings, I have to say the the LCS performance that we had on Koningsdam this past June were amazing. OK, some more so than others but the musician were fantastic and the arrangements were stunning. While I admit to attending my share of rock concerts starting in 1969 I was not put off by hearing old rock and roll tunes arranged for an enthusiastic set of musicians in a quintet setting.

[HUNKY]

When choosing a quick cruise for March 2019 the other half specifically mentioned wanting to go on the cruise line that had LCS.  He's been known to sleep through performances by the National Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony and our local North Carolina Symphony.  He doesn't fall asleep at the LCS!

 

Looking forward to hear what's to be played on Nieuw Statendam.

[Fouremco]

Just off the Nieuw Amsterdam this past Sunday, and we quite enjoyed the Latvian quintet playing there. I was a bit skeptical, but their interpretation of jazz, pop, rock and musicals worked very well for the most part in their Bernstein to Bublé presentation. Radiohead's Creep played by a classical quintet could be a disaster, but it was very well played. The nights we were there the LCS was jam-packed, with people standing outside in the hall to listen.

Edited February 13, 2019 by Fouremco

[grsnovi]

16 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

<insert any rock title here> ...played by a classical quintet could be a disaster

I asked one of the musicians if they did their own arrangements and the answer was "no". I suspect that the arrangements are purchased and the quality of the individual performances will depend on the abilities of the performers and how long they've had the arrangements. The ensemble that was on K'dam in June of 2018 was fantastic - they were very "tight" and they were clearly enjoying themselves playing. I would imagine that your enjoyment of a particular piece might depend on your familiarity with the original.

[rkacruiser]

On the Nieuw Statendam, I was one who enjoyed the LCS quintet regardless of what type of music they played.  Their renditions of some pop and rock classics were very pleasurable to my ears.

[sevenseasnomad]

7 hours ago, Aquahound said:

LCS certainly is a nice amenity on HAL.  My only problem with it on K'dam was the location.  There was so much noise from the casino above and from people walking through; it took away from the experience.  

 

In my opinion, LCS would be made perfect if in the Crows Nest.  

Hasn't this problem been addressed with Koningsdam's refurbishment in December, which placed the newest HA musical venue, Rolling Stones Rock Room across from Billboard Onboard?  LCS moved to Queen's Lounge.

[rkacruiser]

1 minute ago, sevenseasnomad said:

Hasn't this problem been addressed with Koningsdam's refurbishment in December, which placed the newest HA musical venue, Rolling Stones Rock Room across from Billboard Onboard?  LCS moved to Queen's Lounge.

That's my understanding.

[Aquahound]

1 hour ago, sevenseasnomad said:

Hasn't this problem been addressed with Koningsdam's refurbishment in December, which placed the newest HA musical venue, Rolling Stones Rock Room across from Billboard Onboard?  LCS moved to Queen's Lounge.

 

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

That's my understanding.

 

I hope you're right.  The old location sucked. 

[richwmn]

I just left LCS. They did their movie set this evening. I missed the first part due to conflict with trivia, but caught the last 3 songs. All were excellent. As far as the crowd, at least on deck 2 pretty much all the seats were taken and several people were standing.

The current group leaves Nieuw Statendam on Sunday.

[Mimiya11]

Our experience on the Eurodam a few weeks ago was a standing room only crowd for all of their outstanding performances (classical and pop-ish).  People starting to arrive at least half an hour before the performers.  A highlight of this first HA cruise for us.   But....the location is ridiculous and seating in the back is down a long narrow room which is not enclosed.  As the venue is not enclosed , tons of people walk by and have to be shushed before they spot the "quiet sign."  Many of those walking by end up staying to listen.   But, HA needs to find a better venue for these talented performers.         

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, Mimiya11 said:

But, HA needs to find a better venue for these talented performers.         

 

And, this is the precise problem that you have identified in trying to retrofit the non-Pinnacle Class ships to the new Music Walk Concept, I think.