RETIRING MUSICIANS
A Fond Farewell to Four Marvelous Musicians This weekend the Charlotte Symphony will honor four talented and dedicated musicians who are retiring after a combined 175 years of service.
Janis Nilsen, cello Joined the CSO: 1980 Favorite Memory: The CSO’s European Tour in 1986. Our final concert took place outdoors in the Market Square in the Old City. We were joined on stage by members of the Warsaw Opera Orchestra. What a sound! People crowded into every inch of the Square while others leaned out the windows of the apartment buildings that surrounded us to hear Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. In her own words: “Art is not a commodity. It is a fragile gift. Steep your children in it and revel in it yourself.”
Elizabeth Pistolesi, violin Joined the CSO: 1975 Favorite Memory: One of the most enjoyable experiences is to have had such a great vantage point from which to see and hear the soloists play their encores, which are often a highlight of the concert. In particular, I will never forget Angela Hewitt playing Bach and Leon Fleischer playing Debussy. I've been very fortunate to perform through the CSO's Healing Hands program throughout the community with my fellow Laurel Trio members (Amy Whitehead, flute and Deborah Mishoe, cello). It's been most gratifying to experience the effect of the music on the audience in such an intimate setting. In her own words: “We can’t survive without our audience. Keep on coming, and be willing to listen to unfamiliar music.” 22 retiring musicians
