Music: Keeping Score

The principal draw of HDTV is the much-improved picture quality, but lately the HD program I've been viewing the most (partially because of the dearth of HD channels here) is the PBS program "Keeping Score." It features the San Francisco Symphony (along with famous conductor Michael Tilson Thomas) performing various classical works along with commentary about the music.

It's a strange choice for a digital program at first glance, but it eventually makes sense - the improved resolution and widescreen format make it possible to view the entire orchestra performing at one time in a panoramic fashion, which is pretty neat. Even the glint of the house lights off the performers' clarinets and violins is dazzling. Michael Tilson Thomas (man, what a cool name) is also an energetic and interesting conductor to watch, and you can almost feel the musical cues through his body language, a skill most conductors try to cultivate.

So far they've done pieces like Beethoven's "Eroica" and Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring." The universe of classical music can feel a bit overwhelming at times, so I guess it's good they're sticking to basics for now. I'd like to see some mroe experimental stuff if they continue on in later seasons - maybe period instruments or something of the sort.