Fifty years ago, what would eventually be known as the Early Music Movement started. Period instruments came onto the scene, mostly played extremely badly, and everyone in the instrumental world of music at least became aware of the small but important body of literature, from the baroque period, that informs playing-technique for baroque music. Europe … Read more
Transition moments grab our attention. In London, people line up for hours to watch the ceremony known as “the changing of the guard.” Enormous mental energy and financial resources go into political elections under the guise of creating change. And in the arts world, when major organizations, like symphony orchestras or opera companies, go through … Read more
MUSIC AND THE MAGIC OF PLACE What is it in an object that seems to hold the energy of people that have used it before? And why does the association with these places and objects of significance excite us? I had the great fortune of joining the San Francisco Symphony on its Spring tour this … Read more
Going up the old, wooden, circular staircase, with a marine rope for a banister, I ascended to the organ loft of the 15th century church, St. Mariager – originally a Carmelite monastery and still echoing the monks’ plainsong singing of Salve Regina that would form the centerpiece of my recital there. Well, I wasn’t actually … Read more
I can remember it like it was yesterday: I was 16 years old and on an afternoon excursion with my high school friend, Betzi Robb. (Well, I think she was “Betsy” in those days.) We took a trip into Washington to visit Washington Cathedral, a favorite haunt of mine in my years growing up in … Read more
The past week has been one of extremes with respect to Paris, France and myself. A week ago I was basking in the sublime beauty of playing the music of Paris composer, Camille Saint-Saëns’, Organ Symphony with the San Francisco Symphony; and then, yesterday, the world learned the horrific news of a terrorist-led bloodbath in … Read more
Last week I had the privilege of working with renowned pianist Andras Schiff in a concert in which he played (as both soloist & accompanist) and conducted. He conducted the Haydn Lord Nelson Mass which uses a string orchestra, trumpets, choir, and soloists. This is an interesting piece both musically and historically; it was written … Read more
We eagerly anticipate them; and we dread them. Reunions have the potential of stirring up old feelings of insecurity & resentment of long-forgotten cliques, but also the power to re-activate dormant friendships and stimulate new ideas. For better and for worse, high school is a crucible, a culmination of the attitudes, behaviors, ethics, and responsibilities … Read more