Greetings from the 'Seasons'

February 27, 2013 at 12:18 AM

This week, I am playing the "Four Seasons" by Vivaldi - featuring one of the very first grown-up pieces I learned on the violin - "Summer". It was the summer of 1997, and I told my teacher at the Interlochen Arts Camp that "Summer" was, in fact, the next piece I would learn (I had a habit of doing that...a habit future teachers would quell). Forget the sonnets and dramatic dips and turns - I wanted to play the blistering Presto at top volume. 16 years later, I'm playing the set this Saturday (Vivaldi's 335th birthday weekend) with the Gulf Coast Symphony and Maestro John Strickler. Hopefully, my interpretation of the Red Priest's crowning achievement has changed in my advanced age.

The Vivaldi performance in Gulfport, MS is just one of three US coasts I'll be visiting in as many weeks. In about 8 days time, I will be collaborating with the darling mezzo-soprano Lara Nie in works of Strauss and Canteloube in Manhattan (the Polera Recital Series on the Lower East Side). The following week, I am performing in San Jose, CA with works of Suk (Fantasie) and Dvorak (Romance) - my maiden outing with both Czech pieces. Because I am a glutton for undesirable locales, I will be performing in St. Maarten (Caribbean) after the California trip. I'm bringing sonatas of Beethoven, Saint-Saens, and Franck to the island paradise - and getting an early start on my tan. In April, I have shows in Pennsylvania and DC (including an unaccompanied recital of Bach, Paganini, Ysaye and Kreisler for the Arts Club Series), and later in the spring, I am competing on Pittsburgh's "Dancing With The Stars" 2013. Whatever coordination I have with the violin isn't present in my dance rehearsals - and the routine (a sensual Paso Doble) kind of resembles a hop-skotch tournament. Thank goodness my charming partner, Sandra, is patient. Look for updates (and silly pictures).

Next season is beginning to shape up, and we'll post the calendar soon. Right now, it looks like I'll be performing in America's neighbors to the North and South; Mozart and Beethoven with chamber orchestras; a string of Tchaikovsky concerto appearances; and the Barber concerto for the first time. There may be an overseas trip or two, and local performances of the piano trio literature. Specifics will be announced when we're able! I've also started penning thoughts, ideas, and memories for a future book. Don't be expecting an expose of the classical music world, but--we'll see how and where that project ends up.

I've enjoyed keeping up with colleagues, audience members, and fans on social media - what a world we live in! I wonder if Heifetz, Oistrakh, and the other Olympians of yesteryear ever fathomed careers being scrutinized on the World Wide Web. Never a dull moment, I suppose. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the future concerts--and the next time you hear one of the "Seasons" in an elevator, a restaurant, or on a Muzak record, remember - it's actually legitimate, gorgeous music.

From Terez Mertes
Posted on February 28, 2013 at 7:27 PM

Andrew, wow, you'll be in San Jose performing Suk and Dvorak? Oooh, cool! I Googled and came up with Sun 3/17 in Saratoga for the performance - is that correct? Hey, that's not far for me; I will definitely try and make it to this! (And let me know if I got the date/venue/performance wrong.)

Regardless, best of luck to you in your concertizing, and thanks for sharing the details with us here. Fascinating life you must have!

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Greetings from the 'Seasons'

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