I can hardly believe it, but our first Musicians for Michiana concert is happening this very weekend!
I’ve been working on this project for so long that I’d almost forgotten that an ACTUAL CONCERT was going to be the end result – it seemed like all I was ever going to do was worry about money and harass printers – but now that we’ve had rehearsals and I’m planning my program notes I begin to think that it might be real. And that we might actually be getting to the part I’m good at, which can’t come soon enough for my morale.
Two years ago at a convention I heard this 2010 Martin Bresnick piece, once, and immediately recognized that I had to play it. The composer had gone on a pilgrimage to see the tiny Belarus town his parents and grandparents had grown up in, and describes the bucolic setting with nostalgia and love. The middle section, a lullaby, seems to reference his own childhood, and as such feels very personal. The piece is beautifully written for the instruments, has a great flow and arc to it, and should be an easy one for an audience to love. I’m thrilled to be presenting “Going Home (Vysoke, My Jerusalem)” with three great string players at this Sunday’s concert!
Presenting new music to new audiences is one of my favorite things to do, and I am really looking forward to Sunday’s performance. Lest you forget, we will be playing at 2:00 at The Music Village, 108 N. Main St in South Bend. The entire concert supports Unity Gardens, a great local non-profit organization, and we would LOVE to see you there.