More thoughts from 30k+ feet, this time about Schumann.
Here’s an entry also cross-posted on the NC Symphony blog: 12:45 a.m. South African time (already Monday), 6:45 p.m. Raleigh time (still Sunday). I’m 30,000+ feet in the air flying from Johannesburg – where I’ve been conducting a production of Puccini’s La Bohème with Opera Africa – to Raleigh for this week as a guest conductor [...]
Who would’ve guessed?
Just returned from my first full day of rehearsal. Last night went well, and despite the slightly frantic energy of touching down at 4:45 and making it to the theater (a little early!) for a 7p rehearsal, I was feeling well. I met with just the principals and read thru the piece cover to cover, [...]
En route to South Africa
En route to South Africa. 37,000 over the ocean, 12 hours into a 15-hour flight. The “moving map” shows we’re approaching the coast of the continent of Africa, crossing the countries of Namibia and Botswana before reaching South Africa and landing in the city of Johannesburg. It’s my first time to South Africa and the [...]
Jerusalem Post article
Here’s an article about the JSO that was just published. Yesterday (Friday) was to have been the last day of operations. I have not been alerted to the latest news, but will see Leon Botstein in the next few days and I’m sure I’ll get the scoop. Anyway, enjoy the article! ————————– Facing the music [...]
Story of my life
My mother recently gave me a wonderful new book of poetry to read. This one seemed to fit pretty well. ——————————– Traveling Alone – Billy Collins At the hotel coffee shop that morning, the waitress was wearing a pink uniform with “Florence” written in script over her heart. And the man who checked my bag [...]
Home (well, back to the US anyway)
Ok, anyone who has any whining to do about American airport security simply needs to fly out of Jerusalem. This is an airport where the rule of showing up two hours before an international flight actually means something. Upon entering the terminal you must pass through a stringent security line before even getting to the [...]
The Concert
After my tour with Fr. Dimitri I ate a light early dinner and returned to the hotel for some rest and a little study. Haim picked me up at 7, one hour before the concert/broadcast, so that I could be there a little early to meet with the folks who were videotaping the concert (not [...]
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
So as I said, yesterday (Wednesday) was fairly uneventful. The highlight of my day was after rehearsal when Richard (bassoonist) took me to a very authentic hole-in-the-wall where we had an amazing lunch of hummus, falafel, and various other local foods. It was amazing, the best meal I’ve had during my time here. I didn’t [...]
Ok, ok
A quick post to say that I just returned from the concert, which went very well. I’m headed out to have a beer with the concertmaster, but will post more details tonight! (I wasn’t playing hookey yesterday, just didn’t have a lot to report)
I’ve walked a mile, or four…
After returning from my marathon rehearsal today I decided to make my trek to the Mount of Olives. The disadvantage of my rehearsal schedule is that many of the sites close in the late and some even early afternoon, so by the time I get back from rehearsal, eat some lunch and have a little [...]