Comments

You know Terez, it is really quite a tip of the hat to the audience when the supermegaoverhypedstar is placed before the intermission, and an unknown piece placed after. Kudos to that decision. Who was The Stick?

Also, sorry to read about your family's woes. Everyone I know, musicians, nurses, reporters, small business owners, is spooked about the economy and their job. Bleh.

"The stick" being the conductor? (Great term, whatever it turns out to mean!) Visiting conductor Fabio Luisi - who got a great review in the SF Chronicle, as did Schmidt's symphony.

On the economy and layoffs affecting everyone - yes, there certainly is a trickle-down effect, isn't there? I had to tell my violin teacher yesterday that if the worst case scenario actualizes, I'll have to go from 45 mn to 30 mn. I refuse to give up the lesson entirely. I know me - I need that weekly motivation/threat. (The latter part said with a twinkle in my eye, mind you.) She said I'm not the first one to have to discuss (or implement) a cutback.

Terez - why not go to every other week with you lessons and go for longer, rather than doing a weekly but shorter? Just a thought. Tom - my teacher doesn't want to do less than once a week. Initially, way back when, that had been my preference. It's a huge time drain to get to the lesson and back (45 minute drive one way, childcare logistics). Nice idea, tho! The Stick is indeed the conductor.

As for lessons, play it by ear. Things might turn out OK. Or, the book could go Oprah, and your financial concerns would be lessened considerably.

Or, we could all stand in the free cheese line together.

I had tickets to last Friday's concert (same program) but ended up not going because of bad bronchitis. :( I've read reviews of it since and now I'm bummed that I missed not only Joshua Bell but what sounds like a very interesting symphony. Thank you for your beautifully written report---it almost makes up for not being able to listen to it. Oh, Karin, poor you! Knowing how you like Josh, too. (His Rondo Capriccioso really was great.) Hope the bronchitis has improved. : /

Anne - please tell Oprah that I'll have that final draft ready in January and we all know that the publishers are lining up for novels these days, so it should be a piece of cake. Let's see - were we up to 20K or 30K for your cut?

Tell Oprah? I know Oprah?

20K is fine. I am not greedy. (Insert smiley face here).

A long time ago, I read an interview with Margaret Graham, the great dancer and choreographer. The interviewer asked Ms.Graham what part of her career she was most proud of. Graham told a true story about a woman who had made her way backstage to talk to Ms. Graham after a performance. The woman was crying. She told Ms. Graham that her husband had died several years ago, and she had never been able to cry for him. She tried psychotherapy, but it didn't help. When she watched Ms. Graham and her troupe dance, she realized that suffering and death had dignity and were universal, and she was able to cry. Oh, Pauline, what a beautiful story. I could see Martha Graham doing that to someone - she was a heck of a dance pioneer and a strong woman who influenced a generation of women (particularly dancers, who suddenly found "another" way to be a dancer). Hi Terez,

Exceptional, as always. I hope to hear the Schmidt some day.

All the best to you and your husband in the — and all others.

God bless,
Drew

What a lovely comment, Drew. Thanks so much. Yes, do go listen to the Schmidt, if given a chance. I definitely want to hear it performed again.