Heard and Seen at Severance Hall

From Row F at Severance Hall Saturday night, the anticipation practically hung off the rafters. Former Cleveland Orchestra music director Christoph von Dohnanyi was conducting. In addition to the usual well-heeled crowd, there were lots of young people in the front rows.

Next to me was an 8-year-old and her father. During intermission, the young lady and I compared the contents of our evening bags. Hers: a pink cell phone, coin purse, and a well-worn toy mouse made of fabric. Mine: keys, no cell phone, ID, $2 in bills, lipstick.

The mouse was missing its ears, so it rather resembled an otter. The original tail had gone missing years ago. In its place, secured by two safety pins, was a length of orange-and-yellow yarn.

Standing ovations are so commonplace that they have pretty much lost their luster; however, the audience couldn't get enough of CvD, keeping him onstage through several bows and curtain calls.

Oh, and if you thought the Brahms Symphony #1 ran longer than previous Cleveland Orchestra performances, you were right: 47 minutes.