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Anderson’s Concert Was For The Dogs
You can add canines to Laurie Anderson’s fan base. The performance artist played a 20-minute set in Australia meant for man’s best friend, although there are reports that at least a few upright-walking mammals were in attendance.
Anderson performed her original composition, “Music For Dogs,” Saturday at the
Photo: AP Photo
Daina Fletcher holds her 6-year-old terrier Lottie at the Sydney Opera House for a concert by Laurie Anderson.
Originally intended to consist of high-pitched sounds only dogs can hear, Anderson decided to include a few notes in the lower octaves so that humans could hear the performance too.
The result was 20 minutes of whale calls, thumping beats and whistles that clearly had an effect on the pooch-ridden audience, with Anderson making sure everyone participated.
“Let’s hear it from the medium dogs!” Anderson called out to the audience. “You can do better than that – come on mediums! Whoo! WHOOOOOO!”
Apparently the dogs loved the whale sounds which resulted in several canines eagerly wagging their tails and barking in response.
But not all dogs were enamored by Ms. Anderson’s latest work. A Jack Russell Terrier going by the handle “Oliver” reportedly folded his ears back and lunged toward the stage, dragging his owner with him.
How did Anderson come up with her “Music For Dogs” piece? Turns out it was a spur-of-the-moment idea she had while talking with cello master Yo-Yo Ma.
Photo: AP Photo
Laurie Anderson performing “Music For Dogs” at Sydney Opera House.
“We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if you’re playing a concert and you look out and everyone’s a dog?’” Anderson said. “So I thought if I ever get a chance to do that, I’m gonna do it. And today was it. So this is like a highlight of my life.”