Violin Adventures - September 8, 2004: Happy New Season!

September 4, 2008 at 7:45 AM

Hi! I hope that you had a great summer and that you’re as excited about starting your new year as I am.

VOTING…
Thanks, guys! Readers of the Chicago Reader alternative weekly newspaper just selected me as the 2008 Best of Chicago: Classical Instrumentalist. Glad you’re enjoying my work and thanks for your vote!

Speaking of voting, click here to view the U.S. presidential candidates’ arts policy statements – there are lots of interesting ideas. (It’s sad to see that John McCain’s is still “pending.” I can’t imagine that he doesn’t have some opinions about the arts, and I’d love to know what he thinks.) Click here for a fascinating discussion with arts policy guru Nick Rabkin about the arts as a catalyst for American democracy. Nick’s visit to my podcast was truly inspirational, especially in this election season.

If you are an American citizen, be sure to lend your important voice to our symphony of citizens – don’t forget to register to vote!

MY FIVE FAVORITE ALBUMS – NOT
A few months ago, the Chicago Tribune asked me to name my five favorite albums. I tried really hard but couldn’t do it! Even if their question had been limited to just one genre, the decision would have still been nearly impossible. Luckily, they agreed to let me change the question. I decided to list the five albums I’ve listened to most often in my life thus far, and the ones I came up with were definitely not what I expected! (I bet if you try the same thing, you’ll also be surprised.)

Rachel's playlist, ''The 5 albums I've probably listened to most often''
Chicago Tribune, March 30, 2008

Metallica: ". . . And Justice for All" I will reluctantly concede the argument that Master of Puppets is a slightly better album, but Justice will always be special as my first, life-changing exposure to Metallica and to the whole world of speed metal.

Nine Inch Nails: "Pretty Hate Machine" There are many albums suitable for times of angst, but somehow I always come back to this one.

Peter Gabriel: "Us" This beautiful, imaginative recording is frequently my album of choice for relaxing at bedtime.

Itzhak Perlman: "Paganini: 24 Caprices" This was the only recording of the Paganini Caprices that I owned during my early childhood, so it was through Perlman's version that I became fascinated with this amazing showcase of the expressive and technical possibilities of the violin.

John Holloway and Tragicomedia: "Biber Mystery Sonatas" There are many great interpretations of these spiritual and violinistic masterpieces, but I love the variety of continuo instruments on this version.

MY NEXT SHOWS AND MORE

My season kicks off with a trip out west to Colorado and Idaho. Click here to read my thoughts about the Beethoven Concerto, and click here to check out my podcast episode about the Tchaikovsky Concerto.

Here’s my schedule as of now – keep an eye on my Twitter for last-minute updates. I hope to see you at one of the shows!

Sunday 9/7 (Colorado Springs)
6pm – master class for the Peakharmonic Youth Orchestra

Monday 9/8 (Colorado Springs)
My interview about the Beethoven and Clement Concertos airs on public radio’s Performance Today – check your local station to see what time they carry this program
Morning – meeting with composer Luis Jorge Gonzalez to work on his unaccompanied violin compositions, including one he wrote for me
2:30pm – interview/performance on Colorado Public Radio KVOD
Evening – rehearsals with conductor and orchestra

Tuesday 9/9 (Colorado Springs)
1pm – interview/performance on classical station KCME
6:30pm – please join me for a pre-concert chat
8pm – performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic
10pm – post-concert meet and greet
MY NEW CD DROPS TODAY!!! Beethoven Concerto with my own cadenzas plus the world premiere recording of its beautiful predecessor, the concerto by Beethoven’s dedicatee Franz Clement, recorded with the Royal Philharmonic and Maestro José Serebrier. (More about that in the next Ezine!)

Wednesday 9/10 (all day travel)
Drive to Denver for 11:15am flight, land in Boise at 9:05pm (if my plane is on time)

Thursday 9/11 (Boise)
9:30am – interview/performance on classic rock station 96.9 The Eagle
10:00am – interview/performance on rock station Magic 93.1
Evening – rehearsals with conductor and orchestra

Friday 9/12 (Boise)
12pm – meet the artist luncheon, FREE and open to the public
6:50pm – please join me for a pre-concert chat
8pm – Tchaikovsky Concerto with the Boise Philharmonic
10:00pm – post-concert meet and greet

Saturday 9/13 (Boise)
10am – open dress rehearsal for children, seniors, anyone who can’t make it to the evening concerts, or anyone who wants to check out what goes on behind the scenes
7pm – please join me for a pre-concert chat
8:15pm – Tchaikovsky Concerto with the Boise Philharmonic
10:00pm – post-concert meet and greet

Sunday 9/14 (all day travel)
Depart Boise at 11:05am, arrive home at O’Hare at 7:45 (if my plane is on time)

Monday 9/15 (Chicago)
11am – performance for the Musicians Club of Women at the Union League Club

To check out all of my 2008-2009 concerts, click here.

ONLINE PERFORMANCES
Can’t make it to Colorado Springs or Boise? Check out my concert videos any time on my YouTube channel.

Until next time … happy practicing!

From Craig Coleman
Posted on September 4, 2008 at 8:52 PM

Rachel,
I was glad to see you listen to speed metal. I took my elder son whose playing drums to the Mayhem Festival 2008 to see Slipknot this summer. It was definitely life-changing and a ear-opening experience for me too.

Craig

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Violin Adventures - September 8, 2004: Happy New Season!

Laurie's Books

Subscribe