May 20, 2005 at 7:35 PM

The reason I played Mozart in the masterclass, was because today I had my first orchestra audition in the Netherlands. For once, I decided not to tell too many people, because I did want to have to confess to the whole world that I did not get the job.

So, I have played concerts and competitions and thought I had a clue what was going on. Such a fool, orchestra auditions are an absolute league of its own. Today, the audition was for Amsterdam Sinfonietta, somewhat like an European Orpheus, a no conductor, very small string orchestra, of very good quality.
On the rep list the usual first movements and cadenzas of a romantic and Mozart concerto, orchestra excerpts and Mozart duo KV 423. After I came back from Brussels I heard about the audition, so last week I informed if there was still a chance I could audition and I got lucky, somebody had just cancelled.

The first round was this morning: starting with Mozart concerto and orchestral excerpts. Mozart was ok, my usual nervous self with some intonation insecurities, but during the orchestral excerpts, I developed the ability for a pretty good upbow staccato, which is not really needed in Bartok and surely not in Brahms. I felt so naked, literally. Even though the music sounded completely in my head, standing in front of people and only playing one part without the others is one of the most difficult things to do. Honestly the only good description coming close is like feeling naked.
So after my first round disappointment I decided for my next audition I would try out some of the meditating techniques and breathing exercises. My next audition came sooner then expected: I made it in second round.

In the afternoon I was much more concentrated. I felt I had nothing to loose, since it was such a surprise making it into 2nd round, I just wanted to get rid of the nerves I had experienced that morning and turn it into a learning experience. So when I started the second round with Tchaikovksy, every time I felt the nerves I went back to breathing and focusing on sound quality and pretending as if I was playing everything in slow motion. I think this had the effect that in my orchestral excerpts I played somewhat slowly. The last thing was the Mozart Duo. I had played this about 10 years ago with my then-boyfriend. Guess who was the violist for this audition... my former boyfriend. It was very nice to see him again and play with him. So all in all, my second round was a lot more stable, but still with room for improvement for future auditions.
For me, playing a violin concerto is so much easier then these orchestral excerpts and my respect for all these people who go from audition to audition has rissen humongously! Some of these excerpts are shorter than the opening phrase of Tchaikovksy. If I blow the opening I have 40 more minutes to "make up for it", however in an audition you are out of luck if you can't grab the style, mood and all of this with perfect intonation, bowdivision and the most steady rhythm you can come up with. The last few days, I have thought back a lot about the orchestra rep classes I had with Steve Rose in Cleveland, I learned so much from this man.
In the plenning where a couple more auditions in the next few weeks, but... I am starting in september my trial periode with the orchestra!The first project will be one with conductor: Gergiev, not bad to start with, he just conducted the Met! The second all around the "Kreutzer sonata" with Janacek's quartet and a version for ensemble of the Kreutzer Sonata by Beethoven. I am so excited! I will have to work a lot in the next months on sound, because I sound way to New Yorky :-) but I am so excited. I will be able to learn a whole new aspect of violin playing and music making!

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on May 20, 2005 at 9:51 PM

Congratulations! Good news for you finally.

From Laurie Niles
Posted on May 21, 2005 at 3:27 PM

I feel your pain! Auditions are so intense and rather unforgiving. And the circumstances can be unpredictable, too. Sounds like you did very, well, though! Best of luck with your upcoming projects, they sound fun!

From Christina C.
Posted on May 24, 2005 at 4:43 PM

Great news! Congratulations Carla.

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May 20, 2005 at 7:35 PM

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