March 12, 2023

It was wonderful to be back with my old friends of  the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans this week.  I am happy to say I’ve had a long, actually very long, and meaningful relationship with this ensemble, dating back to its first season of existence back in the 20th Century. One of the great things about working in the field of music is the regular rhythm of crossing paths with friends, and deepening that relationship through sharing musical experiences.
 
I’ve been at this job for a while now, and as a result I can’t remember the last time I did a guest engagement and didn’t know at least a few people in the orchestra, but the LPO is a different situation. Having done I’m sure a few hundred concerts with them over the years, it was a very moving experience for me to see and share the stage with them again.
 
While many of the old friends I saw were from decades past, it was equally exciting to see new friends, namely former member of my orchestra at Chautauqua who are now employed by the Louisiana Philharmonic. As someone who enjoys nurturing young talent, seeing them gainfully employed with their careers underway is a great thing. They also sounded wonderful!
 
It was also a joy to make new friends with the three fabulous young soloists who, as winners of the New Orleans International Piano Competition, were featured in last night’s program. Congratulations and best wishes to Tatiana Dorokhova, Seho Young, and Elia Cecino. It was a pleasure making music with you.
 
I’m back to Michigan for a concert this coming weekend. This one is with the Ann Arbor Symphony, a wonderful program with music of Dvorak, Debussy and Prokofiev…a nice lineup. This will be my first time working the fabulous violinist Kyung Sun Lee. I am very much looking forward to it!
 
NEXT UP
 
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Michigan Theater
Ann Arbor, Michigan
 
Saturday, March 18, 8:00 p.m.
Kyung Sun Lee, violin
 
DEBUSSY         Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
PROKOFIEV     Violin Concerto No. 2
DVORAK          Symphony No. 7