I am excited about this weekend’s concert for several reasons.
One, I can’t wait to see my colleagues in the South Bend Symphony again. I missed the first subscription concert because of my big Illinois tour and concerto, so this will be my first real work of the season with this orchestra.
Two, it turns out that Dvorak’s Czech Suite is better than I remember from the last time I played it, which must have been in college. Just folk tunes, yes, but put together beautifully, and there’s lots of good woodwind work in there. I’ve been listening to it for enjoyment as well as for preparation.
Three, I really enjoy working with Kirk Muspratt, our guest conductor. I like how demanding he is and how much quality he asks from the orchestra, and I like that I have to stay on my toes.
Finally, I cannot wait to listen to the Milhaud trombone concerto. I love to hear my colleagues featured, and I have always liked Reed’s playing. I’m ecstatic that the orchestra is performing not just a trombone concerto, but a twentieth-century trombone concerto. It is this kind of adventurous and interesting programming that I crave and wish we did more often. I don’t miss being in school and in the Civic Orchestra – it’s way more fun to be a grownup and a professional – but I certainly do miss the regular exposure to new works hot off the presses. Ok, Milhaud is hardly “hot off the presses” – but the fact that I’m this psyched about an mid 20th century composer says a lot about the conservativeness of our concert season, doesn’t it?
Sunday, October 17
3:00 PM
DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Notre Dame University