Austin Symphony / Hillary Hahn report & Picture

April 15, 2006 at 3:17 PM

So we made it to the symphony. I picked up the girls in Houston from the airport and drove to Brian Duckworth's violin shop in New Braunfels, TX to pick up a repaired violin.

The girls were very excited and told me about their first violin lessons. (3 hours in the car), Macalah (7) has learned the G, D, A, & E possitions and the rythyms, "Fiddle", "Macalah", "Peperoni" & "Peperoni Pizza". Sascha (11) has learned "Fiddle", "Violin", "Peperoni" & "Peperoni Pizza" and has started on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. During the drive we alternated listening to the first 2 Suzuki CD's a Bow Fire CD and XM 115 "Radio Disney".

Mr. Duckworth as always was very hospitable and played a bit for the girls which they loved. Worked on their bow grips and let them play a mandolyn and a base.

As we left he gave them two copies Teen Strings free of charge (very kind).

Then it was off to Austin to pick up shoes and go home. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice to say, Dad's shouldn't take daughters shopping for shows for formal events. :) They did get some nice summer sandals, but it took an hour and 1/2.

On the car ride home, Sascha, while reading the Teen Strings Magazine got very excited by an article on Busking and an article written by Hillary Hahn on selecting and working with teachers. Sascha then determined that she would get Hillary to sign it.

We got home at 4:00 PM (I started at 5:30 AM). Relaxed for an hour and went off the dinner at Caprice Cafe on 10th & Lamar. We had 6:00 PM reservations and got there right on time. Dinner was incredible and I highly recommend the restuarant. Entree's run $15.00 to $30.00 and the food is incredible.

We got to the Bass Concert Hall at 7:30 and settled into the performance after buying a CD.

The performance was great. The first piece was Cantius Arcticus (reading from the program as I'm relatively new to classical music). The Symphony had an add on electic audio of live birds, which I'm not sure yet sat well with me. Then Violin COncert in A minor, Op. 82.

Hillary then did and incredible solo, that I"m told is rarely performed, I don't recall the name of piece but it was breath taking.

Sascha was totally enamored. Macalah liked the symphony, but after 14 hours of flying and driving she was truly spent.

We decided to leave after intermission and let Sascha get her magazine and CD signed. Hillary was very nice to her, spoke with her for a few minutes and was surpised to the see the article (she hadn't seen it yet). She agreed to take a picture with Sascha after she was done singing things for people.

After the signing she stayed behind as the orchestra went to play, and talked with Sascha for 15 minutes or so, encouraged her to practice and also reviewed the article (She hadn't seen it). She told Sascha about how surprised she was they hadn't changed anything in the article and chatted a bit. Then we took the picture and left.

Great night all in all!

From Sydney Menees
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 3:40 PM

Wow! That is so awesome! The article on busking was probably an interview with Caeli Veronica Smith (registered on this site as "C. Veronica Smith").

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I want to see Hilary someday...

From Kelsey Z.
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 4:01 PM

Hehe...I remember playing Cantus Arcticus a year or so ago. What a wild piece to play (and conduct) the different sections of the orchestra are all in different time signatures and there are parts where it says to let the "birds" chirp for up to a minute before you start to play...it's a wild piece. Once you've heard it a few times though, it's actually a really neat piece!

From Linda Lerskier
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 5:08 PM

Sounds like you had an awesome time! I wish I could go to another concert soon.

From Colleen Russo
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 6:26 PM

awww how cute!!
I'm glad they liked it :)

From Colleen Russo
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 6:27 PM

And sydney's right- Caeli wrote the artcle on the busking(and is miss cover girl hehe)... so your daughter could have her two favorite articles signed... boy would that be a keeper magazine! haha

From Jasmine Lewis
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 7:20 PM

That's a cute picture! Hilary Hahn seems really nice!

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 9:36 PM

I like this picture.

From Terez Mertes
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 11:23 PM

What a great night, Jason. So glad it went well for you and your girls, and that is indeed a great pic.

From Karin Lin
Posted on April 16, 2006 at 3:57 AM

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I can't wait until my girls are old enough to hear and meet Hilary Hahn!

From Elizabeth Chavez
Posted on April 18, 2006 at 10:39 PM

That's SOOOOOO COOL!!!!...i want to meet Hilary Hahn...=]

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