Chicago, Colleen, & Anne-Sophie

November 22, 2006 at 7:12 PM

I didn't know what to expect when I left Kansas on the 11th. All I knew was that my time was limited. I got up at 5:00 am because I had to go to district orchestra auditions. My audition went pretty poorly (scale under tempo because the person in front played it really slow, the excerpt I didn't practice, etc.) and I was convinced I didn't do better that 30th. I rushed home and packed feverishly and my mom and I left for the airport. We took off from KCI, Kansas City International, but chemistry has brainwashed me into calling it Potassium Chloride airport because the 'I' looks like a lower case 'L.' It's even balanced! Anyway, the flight was really short (under two hours) and pretty soon we were descending into the depths of Chicago.

'Woah.' I though. 'Could I really be here? Now? Meeting Colleen?!' As my mom and I stepped off the plane, my phone rang. "Hey! Are you guys here?" It was Colleen and her mom and they were waiting for us outside in their car! My mom and I got our baggage and I called Colleen again to see where she was. "Hang up." Was her response. "I see you!" And there they were!

And the adventure began! We decided that for the rest of the evening it would be best to explore the city. Chicago is really pretty. I thought that because it was a big city, it might be dirty and gross, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We went to the symphony center where Colleen got to meet Joshua Bell earlier this year. The symphony center was really neat and I hope the new Kansas City performing arts center is as stellar. I think it will be.

After that it was time for the one and only Anne-Sophie Mutter! She was remarkable. Attired in the dress on her Mozart Violin Concertos CD, she made the stage her own along with her wonderful pianist, Lambert Orkis. What I liked best about her playing was her bow arm. She divided it so well; it seemed (in Colleen’s words) to float from tip to frog. Deathly fast passages appeared simple with minute flicks of the wrist. Her shoulder-rest-less-ness was interesting to see as well. One could tell that Mutter and Orkis had been playing together a long time. They were most definitely a dynamic duo!

Afterwards, we lined up to meet to virtuosi. It was a really long line. I think it stretched all the way down the hall and then some. However, we did get to meet the two and I asked for a picture in German. Here’s the conversation:
Colleen and me: “What a great concert! You guys are awesome!” etc.
Me: (to ASM) “Dürfen wir ein Photo nehmen bitte?”
ASM: (Looks at me with a huge smile) “Oh! Wow! In German! Of course!”

And…

The next day, it was time for me to leave, but I had a great time in Chicago with Colleen and I look forward to going again!

From bilbo Pratt
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 7:48 PM

What a happy trip!

From Maura Gerety
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 9:02 PM

Hey, great picture at the Bean! I was there but a few short weeks ago! (Leonidas Kavakos, CSO, Bartok....it was heaven!)

From Anne Horvath
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 10:34 PM

I love The Bean. I was there in August, and there didn't seem to be a raccoon problem then...

From Scott 68
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 11:43 PM

ive always had a crush on ms mutter

From Elizabeth R
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 11:46 PM

EVERYONE NOTICE HOW SYD IS THE ONLY ONE NOT LOOKING IN THE PIC w/ ASM!!!

grrr syd ;) EVER LAMBERT MANAGED BOTH! hahahha

From Elizabeth R
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 11:46 PM

okay, now for my REAL comment ;)

OMG I CANT BELIEVE WE FINALLY MET!!! after a YEAR!
sooo much fun... "OMG YOU GUYS! LOOK! A WHOLE BUNCH OF OLD PEOPLE GOT ARRESTED!!!"

hmm syds not in chicago much ;) hahah

wow...

omg syd i was honestly laughing out loud with the "we almost found a replacement for caeli" hahhaha I HADNT THOUGHT OF THAT!! ahahha omg- i would of like FREAKED if it were a bunny ! but still.. caeli kinda looks like a racoon!! ;) hehehehehe... better yet, the racoon costume is kind of like a costume made out of waffles, therefore, its caeli :D

From Elizabeth R
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 11:49 PM

ps- that first pic of me on there is horriibbllee!! hahah.. good 'ol dennys...

me: here conk! its on a denny's menu!!!

hahhaa

From Elizabeth R
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 11:50 PM

and one more thing.. you dont want me to write a post about it cuz you know what pics id post hahahha....

you know who would be on your doorstep the next second hahha

From Elizabeth R
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 11:51 PM

okay last one! did anyone notice how in the oprah pic we're wearing matching outfits?!?! haha... we're so cool that we pretty much brought the same clothes without knowing it :)

From Sydney M.
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 11:58 PM

Colleeeeeeeen!! You have to post an entry with the GOOD pic ;-) But NOT the other pics!!!

From Elizabeth R
Posted on November 23, 2006 at 12:13 AM

noooo... i deleted all my blogs anyways.. is that what you were talking about??

BESIDES.. this one IS THE GOOD PIC!! hahah
gosh why coudlnt we both just be looking in the same pic.. then we'd agree on the same pic.. BUT youve gotta admit that the one posted WINS cuz... 3/4 the people are looking, and in mine only 1/2 are.. there fore... MINE WINs!!! *well yours.. * ah its so confusing.. BUT why are we communicating through v.com comments?? email me, aim me, call me , something! lol... ur cells off.. thats stupid, turn it on! haha

From Vivian Guo
Posted on November 23, 2006 at 4:54 AM

Scott, that day Mutter was gorgeous as always.

Geez, I am local (Chicago), but got no photos! Next time, I need to email out of states folks for some tips. :D

Congrats for the nice photo with Mutter!

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on November 23, 2006 at 7:08 AM

I'm so glad the two of you finally met and had a good time. I love your photos. What is the Bean?

From Bram Heemskerk
Posted on November 23, 2006 at 1:55 PM

Wow, the biggest violin I have ever seen. Perhaps next time a photo of Sydney and Colleen with Oprah in between?

From Anne Horvath
Posted on November 23, 2006 at 5:32 PM

Pauline- go to thebeanchicago.com

From Sydney M.
Posted on November 24, 2006 at 3:40 AM

Hopefully, Bram...