Spring 2009 - Reflections

March 22, 2009 at 6:17 PM

The first weekend of spring 2009. Wow. Remember when all the concern and hoopla surrounding Y2k was in the media - and now it is 2009. Many of my high school classmates are married or starting families; we have a new administration; the recession is affecting everyone; yet ticket sales are up more than ever for concerts. It's a strange time we're in.

I look back over the last two years, and I feel very lucky. 2 years ago this weekend I played Brahms concerto for the first time with orchestra (albeit with strep throat, a lymph node infection, and a high fever), was making my first trip to Asia, preparing to play Beethoven for the first time, and thinking I was busy. Now, with a different program to play almost every week, I wish I were less busy! Studying with Chee-Yun (post CIM days) changed my life and outlook on music. The occasional collaboration with Robert Franz turned into a new post and monthly concerts. The very women from the Collaborative Department at the Cleveland Institute of Music who taught me the sonata repertoire are playing recitals and chamber music with me - a dream come true. And yet, I find the outreach performances the most rewarding - the inspiring letters and pictures from Webster Elementary School in St. Augustine, Florida recently were very touching!

Speaking of St. Augustine, I spent a week there in last February for 2 Bruch performances, an outreach, and a very fun interview with WFCF - I miss my hosts and the musicians a great deal. Warm, charming, and incredibly hospitable people. The orchestra was also very accommodating during my disastrous travel home (all part and parcel of this job). Blizzards shut down the airports in the Southeast...I ended up staying an extra night and taking six flights for 1200 miles the following day. Without luggage. Sigh.

Additionally, I have played a couple recitals, Tchaikovsky concerto, orchestral performances, and just played a fun Brahms chamber music concert last night. This upcoming week, I am preparing for a Cleveland area recital, Mozart 4 in Austin, a Rock&Roll inspired photo shoot, and a radio interview on the necessity of classical music in today's uncertain times. Not to mention, my taxes need to be completed soon. It's been nice rehearsing in Cleveland for the chamber concert - catching up with CIM friends, family, and area musicians has been a blast. I'm enjoying this Sunday off - I'm probably taking my Lab to the park (don't tell him that...), and starting work on this next program. In fact, I'm still in pajamas as I type this! Not to mention, there is a very exciting Desperate Housewives on tonight. I know, I know...we all have our vices!

I will start updating more regularly - I think it's been about 10 weeks since the last blog. However, for now, I'm going to go memorize these showpieces for the upcoming recital. I'm behind on that repertoire...

Happy Spring to all!

Spring 2009 - Reflections

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