We had a really fun hour on this tour. I didn’t learn any major revelations but it was fun to see the dressing rooms, ride elevator that they use to bring pianos on and off stage, and other tidbits
-
We had a really fun hour on this tour. I didn’t learn any major revelations but it was fun to see the dressing rooms, ride elevator that they use to bring pianos on and off stage, and other tidbits -
Our first concert this year. Muti conducted
J Straus II overture to Gypsy Barron
Hindemith- Mathis see Maler Symphony
Dvorak NWS
Great concert. I had never heard the Strauss and it’s a good curtain raiser. I own a few recordings of the Hindemith but my first live experience. It had an intensity to it and what a great orchestration.
The NWS was suitably dramatic. I could have used a bit more drama in the slow movement but Muti really turns the dogs loose in the finale and it’s exciting.
I had joined a volunteer group with the CSO called the association. Before the NWS they were recognizing 2 retiring players. One was violinist Joyce Noh , born in Seoul, appointed by Solti in 1979, the first Asian woman to join the CSO. The other was Harpist Lynne Turner, who was appointed by Reiner in 1962. The Association had a backstage reception for them afterwards . I didn’t get a chance to speak to them as they had many well wishers, namely Muti and the orchestra. I did exchange a few words with first chair violist Max Rainey, who went to my high school and with whom we I have mutual friends.
I remember reading an article in the early eighties, essentially an about how the orchestra was moving on from male patrimony and citing these 2 women as examples; this made their retirement ceremony a bit more poignant for me.
A few hours prior to the CSO concert we had attended a wind band concert at Concordia University of Chicago. The conductor, Richard Fisher and a great friend of ours, was leading his last concert after 51 years. Most of the attendees were Concordia alumni and most of them were his former students. Rich is an emotional guy, a great musician who urges students to play with their hearts, and he programmed pieces that had special significance for him. He broke down several times in speeches before each piece and simply had to turn around face the orchestra and start playing.
So Saturday had an autumnal, valedictory feel to it, that was perfectly matched by early November weather. Perhaps Brahms Third might have better fit the mood as a finale instead of the Dvorak. However the energy of beauty of the Dvorak was a perfect reminder of why we love music
-
What a lovely post Richard, thank you; and cheering in what appear from this side of the pond to be dark days for Chicago. (My daughter worked on Obama's campaigns in happier times.) And astonishing to learn of the retirement of a Reiner appointee!
Comment
-
Yes, I had to reread/check that date.Originally posted by kernelbogey View PostAnd astonishing to learn of the retirement of a Reiner appointee!It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.Comment
-
The CSO has some blog posts related to Lynne Turner and Joyce Noh:
Another long-time CSO musician retired this year, another Reiner appointee, Jay Friedman:
Will be interesting to read more of RF's Chicago dispatches.Comment
-
You beat me to it about Friedman. He and Turner were the last Reiner appointeesOriginally posted by bluestateprommer View PostThe CSO has some blog posts related to Lynne Turner and Joyce Noh:
Another long-time CSO musician retired this year, another Reiner appointee, Jay Friedman:
Will be interesting to read more of RF's Chicago dispatches.Comment
-
Lovely post richard.Comment
Comment