A few weeks ago I was sitting in a box seat at Carnegie Hall looking down on an empty stage. It was only a few minutes before the concert was to begin and the hall was still half-empty. The orchestra was still waiting in the wings, and I couldn't help noticing the moment. In just a few minutes the whole room would be changed, the environment transformed, and a new community created. In other words, the event itself had brought people of shared interests together. I had flown from the mid-west with this concert as part of my agenda for being in … [Read more...]
One cellist…
One cellist, thirty passionate people....as much emotional bang as Bruckner Fourth - which makes me think, what are we doing here? Where do you begin? This blog won't be all about symphony orchestras, but that IS what I do for a living, and so it should probably start there. I found myself driving home the other night after an extraordinary evening of music making. The night had featured a cellist in the orchestra who had been engaged for an "Up Close" event - meaning he played a little bit of unaccompanied cello music (Bach, and Hindemith), … [Read more...]

Recent Comments
nancy dotterer field on Masur on Beethoven
Have been making notes, on his comments also....and yes, the "magic" and the soul which Masur helps musicians and conductors find...often...Trudy Miller on “Must See” Streaming Internet
Thank you for sharing some of Mr. Mann's comments. The beauty and truth in what he says transcends his medium:...Marly Harris on Public Concert, Private Music
I'm late to the party but this essay moved me profoundly.Barry Johnstone. on Field Trip!
Thank you for posting this MOST important article. The last five sentences sum it up for me!Claudia cutler on Field Trip!
Thank you for posting this. I am a dance teacher who helped form - with great music, dance and drama...Gene on Penny for your thoughts
Thank you for a great idea! We're going to try this at our chamber music festival next June. ...Stephen Soderberg on What are we doing here?
A wonderful project & a beautiful post!John Thomas Dodson on Discovering the Baroque Above a Torture Chamber
We did check into that. We spoke to several people well versed in history and in the archives here. It...MWnyc on Discovering the Baroque Above a Torture Chamber
Sounds like a wonderful project! Any thoughts of reviving any sacred music from the colonial period that may have survived in...Justin Saragoza on A moment of attention is enough
What struck me in your post, and it was a bit unclear to me (just me maybe), is wondering if...