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Tune in to Houston Public Media News 88.7 FM Sunday nights at 8 p.m. to hear great performances from past Houston Symphony concerts. You can also listen Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. online through Houston Public Media's digital Classical station. LISTEN JUNE 2020 BROADCAST SCHEDULE • ALL BROADCASTS AIR AT 8 P.M.
JUNE 7 | NEWS 88.7 JUNE 10 | CLASSICAL
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RECORDED : SEPTEMBER 14, 2019
LEONARD SLATKIN, CONDUCTOR YEFIM BRONFMAN, PIANO
Smith: "The Star Spangled Banner" Glinka: Kamarinskaya Borodin/Sargent: Nocturne from String Quartet No. 2 Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto
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JUNE 14 | NEWS 88.7 JUNE 17 | CLASSICAL
RECORDED : NOV. 29, 30 & DEC 1, 2019
ANDRÉS OROZCO-ESTRADA,
CONDUCTOR MIAH PERSSON, SOPRANO
Strauss: Death and Transfiguration Strauss: Four Last Songs Strauss: Don Juan Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's
Merry Pranks
JUNE 21 | NEWS 88.7 JUNE 24 | CLASSICAL
RECORDED : SEPTEMBER 27, 28 & 29, 2019
ANDRÉS OROZCO-ESTRADA,
CONDUCTOR JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET, PIANO
Copland: El Salón México Gershwin: Catfish Row,
Symphonic Suite from
Porgy and Bess Chávez: Sinfonía India Gershwin: Piano Concerto
LEONARD SLATKIN
ANDRÉS OROZCO-ESTRADA
JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET
JUNE 28 | NEWS 88.7 JULY 1 | CLASSICAL
RECORDED : OCTOBER 4, 5 & 6, 2019
ANDRÉS OROZCO-ESTRADA,
CONDUCTOR MELODY MOORE, SOPRANO SASHA COOKE, MEZZO-SOPRANO TOBY SPENCE, TENOR GÜNTHER HAUMER, BARITONE HOUSTON SYMPHONY CHORUS
BETSY COOK WEBER, DIRECTOR
Mahler: Das klagende Lied Mendelssohn: Die erste
Walpurgisnacht
MELODY MOORE
HOUSTON SYMPHONY Living Room SERIES
YOONSHIN SONG, CONCERTMASTER JUNE 5
and friends!
ARALEE DOROUGH, PRINCIPAL FLUTE JUNE 12
COLIN GATWOOD, OBOE
and family!
ROBIN KESSELMAN, PRINCIPAL DOUBLE BASS JUNE 19
and friends!
and family!
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WITH
Year after year—even this year— one thing remains constant for the Houston Symphony. We are sincerely grateful for every member of the Houston Symphony family. We are honored and deeply moved by the outpouring of support for the Hear with You campaign, which raised more than $1 million for the Symphony’s Annual Fund to close the 2019–20 Season. We continue to plan thoughtfully for the day when we can gather safely and comfortably to share music in person. In the meantime, the music of the Houston Symphony remains available to inspire you through video performances by our musicians, including the popular Living Room Series, and through Houston Public Media broadcasts. Thanks to the continuing support of our loyal donors, the orchestra will return to provide Houstonians with world-class live music.
“Thank you for your support of the Hear With You campaign. It has been inspiring to see loyal Symphony donors like you respond with an outpouring of compassion and generosity.” —Adam Dinitz, English Horn and Oboe
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who donates to our Houston Symphony. Your support of great music in Houston helps to make our city the cultural capital of the Southwest and one of the world’s major cities for music and the performing arts. The City of Houston is proud of our hometown orchestra, and grateful for all it has accomplished. Thank you for supporting the arts in Houston. Stay safe and well, and I look forward to joining you in the 2020–21 Season to be inspired and entertained by our Houston Symphony.” —Mayor Sylvester Turner
“I love performing, especially when there is a supportive audience; they give out energy that musicians can feel on stage and react to. Musicians are half of a great performance— the audience gives us reason to play. Live performance is truly a connection among everyone in the room. Thank you for supporting us and donating to the Houston Symphony Annual Fund. I truly miss performing for you in person, and I can’t wait to see you again in Jones Hall!” —Jarita Ng, viola
JARITA NG VIOLA
HOUSTON SYMPHONY relief fund
Established in March, the Houston Symphony Relief Fund is crucial to protecting the orchestra and sustaining its health during the pandemic. The Houston Symphony thanks the 704 donors who have supported the Relief Fund for allowing us to continue serving our city, inspiring Houstonians with one of the finest orchestras anywhere in the world.
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Adler Margaret Alkek Williams Robin Angly & Miles Smith Ann & Jonathan Ayre Ms. Marcia Backus Janice Barrow Mr. and Mrs. David J. Beck Gary & Marian Beauchamp/
The Beauchamp Foundation Nancy & Walter Bratic Terry Ann Brown Mr. Bill Bullock Barbara J. Burger Eric & Terry Cheyney Janet F. Clark Virginia A. Clark Brad & Joan Corson Ms. Denise Davis Viviana & David Denechaud Valerie Palmquist Dieterich &
Tracy Dieterich David V. Flores Eugene Fong Mrs. Aggie L. Foster Evan B. Glick Maureen Y. Higdon Gary L. Hollingsworth &
Kenneth J. Hyde Steve & Kerry Incavo Catherine & Brian James Dr. Sippi & Mr. Ajay Khurana Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Mr. & Mrs. David B. Krieger Rochelle & Max Levit Cora Sue & Harry Mach Joella & Steven P. Mach Dr. & Mrs. Paul M. Mann Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Michelle & Jack Matzer Barbara & Pat McCelvey Muffy & Mike McLanahan Mr. & Mrs. Harvin Moore IV/
The Powell Foundation Rita & Paul R. Morico Ms. Leslie Nossaman Katie & Bob Orr /
Oliver Wyman Dr. Susan Osterberg &
Mr. Edward C. Osterberg, Jr. The Powell Foundation Dave & Alie Pruner Gloria & Joe Pryzant John & Lindy Rydman/
Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods/Spec’s
Charitable Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Manolo Sánchez Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Laura & Mike Shannon Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Sloan /
Houston Baptist University Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Quentin Smith Tad & Suzanne Smith Mr. Anthony Speier Dr. John R. Stroehlein &
Miwa Sakashita Mike Stude Alice & Terry Thomas Courtney and Bill Toomey/
BB&T Shirley W. Toomim Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Judith Vincent Margaret Waisman, M.D. &
Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Robert G. Weiner &
Toni Blankmann Vicki West Steven & Nancy Williams David & Tara Wuthrich Robert & Michele Yekovich Mr. & Mrs. Frank Yonish BOARD MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
$250,000 or more The Hearst Foundations $100,000 to $249,999 The Brown Foundation, Inc. Phillips 66 $50,000-$99,999 EOG Resources, Inc. $25,000-$49,999 ConocoPhillips Kirkland & Ellis Beth Madison John P. McGovern Foundation Vinson & Elkins LLP $15,000-$24,999 Chevron ENGIE North America Frost Bank Occidental USI Southwest Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Ziegler $10,000-$14,999 Dr. Gudrun H. Becker $5,000-$9,999 Anne Morgan Barrett Dr. Robert N. Chanon Dr. Alex Dell Ms. Eugenia C. George The Greetree Fund Dr. Rita Justice The Joan & Marvin
Kaplan Foundation Mr. Floyd W. Robinson $2,500-$4,999 Dr. Angela R. Apollo Justice Brett & Erin Busby Loretta & Lawrence Williams $1,000-$2,499 Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron Ms. Phoebe Barnard Dr. & Mrs. Philip S. Bentlif Ms. Barbara A. Clark Kathy & Frank Dilenschneider Mr. & Mrs. Jack N. Doherty Mr. & Mrs. Neil Gaynor Wendy Germani Susan & Kevin Golden Ann & Joe* Hightower Dr. Holly Holmes Kathryn L. Ketelsen Ms. Kristen Meneilly Sami & Jud Morrison Mr. & Mrs. Richard Murphy Cliff Nash & Dr. Lee Bar-Eli Ms. Aprill M. Nelson Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Dr. Kimberly Ruona Harold H. Sandstead, M.D. Mr. & Mrs. Merrill K. Seggerman Sam & Linda Snyder Ms. Barbara Szalkowski Stephen & Kristine Wallace Douglas & Carolynne White Erla & Harry Zuber Anonymous $500-$999 Dr. & Mrs. Robert M. Battle Louise Carlson &
Richard Larrabee Ms. Miquel A. Correll Mr. Parker Cragg Mr. Bradley Dennison Aly Dossa Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Ference Carol & Larry Fradkin Ms. Leslie Gassner Mrs. Catherine T. Green Tamara Haygood Ms. Valerie Jalufka Beverly Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Hugh R. Kelly Antoinette Listengart Mr. Stephen Mendoza William D. & Karinne McCullough Terry & Kandee McGill Mr. Douglas T. Reifel Mr. James L. Robertson Carolyn Rogan Patricia Van Allan Ms. Lora Wildenthal Bridget & Brooke Williams $150-$499 Dr. Kenneth S. Adam Rick Ankrom Paul H. & Maida M. Asofsky Mr. & Mrs. Charles Aulbach Mr. & Mrs. David M. Balderston Brian Banks Ms. Denise Breeden Craig & Dolores Brooks Richard L. & Robin Brooks Mr. & Mrs. Philip R. Bullington Renzo Callirgos Mr. & Mrs. Christian Capdeville Lisa Caplan Mr. Theodore Carpenter Dr. David Cook Patrick S. Corbett Sean & Rian Craypo Ms. Toni Cromer Mrs. Rochelle Cyprus Paul H. & Margaret E. Daffin Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Davis Ms. Elena Delaunay Mrs. Mary Foster-DeSimone &
Mr. Don DeSimone Ms. Angela T. Doucette Evelyn Earlougher John & Martha Flasch Ms. Bonnie E. Flynn Edwin Friedrichs & Darlene Clark Ms. Jamie Frontiera Mr. Justin Gian Barbara R. Golub John Goode & Janwin RELIEF FUND CONTRIBUTIONS
Overstreet-Goode Mr. & Mrs. Ben Guefen Maxine Gunner Paul & Suzanne Haines Mr. & Mrs. Don Harris Mrs. Janet L. Hawkins Mr. & Mrs. Bart Henson Barbara M. Heywood Charles & Jeannette Hight Ms. Lucy Hightower Mr. William Howieson Ms. Mary E. Huffine George & Teresa John Ms. Victoria D. Jud Mr. Anthony P. Lanson Jr. Mr. Henry Li Dr. Calum Maccaulay Mrs. Patricia Mathis Mr. & Mrs. William B. McNamara Mr. Jose Antonio Milke Ms. Jennifer Monopolis Dr. John R. Moore Jr. Ms. Susan Morgan Josie & Phil Morgan Steven Myers Phong Patrick Nguyen Mr. Richard Petty Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Phipps Ms. Sophia Poliantceva Dr. & Mrs. Jason Porter Mr. Aaron Prazan Judy & Bill Pursell Mr. & Ms. Scott Ramsey Martha Reid Mr. John Robertson Ms. Cynthia Roland Mr. Autry W. Ross Mr. William Rung Mr. Hugh Ryan Betty & Robert Schwarz Ms. Sandra Sherrod Mr. Greg Slack Ms. Gail F. Smith Mr. Thomas Staten Mr. Robert E. Tillman &
Dr. Jennifer E. Posey Mr. & Mrs. Eugene N. Tulich Dean Walker Alton & Carolyn Warren Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Walt Leone Buyse & Michael Webster Nancy B. Willerson Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Wilson Rodney Zecher Anonymous (3)
To learn how to join these generous donors to the Houston Symphony Relief Fund, please contact Christine Ann Stevens, Director, Individual Giving, at christine.stevens@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8531.
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FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY’S NEW LIVING ROOM SERIES
Unprecedented in modern times, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted a basic human need: the desire to reach out and connect with other people. Music is one of the most universal ways that human beings can come together, and the Houston Symphony’s inability to present concerts at Jones Hall during this time has been very challenging for our musicians, who live to share music with our audiences. As you have probably seen, they quickly found creative ways of sharing their art online, although many still missed the thrill of live performance. Last month the Houston Symphony was able to bring back the excitement with a new Living Room Series. This series of live-streamed concerts features the musicians of the orchestra (and often their musically talented families) from the safety of their own homes. After an initial launch featuring Principal Keyboard Scott Holshouser and his son, tenor Sean Holshouser, the series featured Principal Clarinet Mark Nuccio, Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith with his family, and Associate Principal Viola Joan DerHovsepian with hers. As a preamble to his performance on May 15, Principal Cellist Brinton Averil Smith offered the following words: “We are so thrilled to have this chance to actually make live music, not quite with you, but for you. The purpose of music is really to share it. It’s about sharing something you love with the audience, and there's something special about a live performance, even when it’s at a bit of a distance.” With thousands of tickets sold, the series has sparked enthusiastic reactions from audiences, who have gotten to know the people behind the familiar faces of Jones Hall better. Each performance ends with a session in which audience members can ask musicians questions about their practice routines, instruments, careers, favorite music, and more. The concerts have not only connected musicians with their fans, however; friends and family members who perhaps had not seen each other in months were also able to reconnect in this virtual space while enjoying a concert together. With an affordable ticket price of just $10 per concert, the Living Room Series is an accessible way to continue to enjoy live music while the world’s concert halls remain closed, and the revenue helps provide vital support to the Houston Symphony as it faces perhaps the greatest challenge in its 107-year history. The best reward of the series has undoubtedly been the artistic quality of the performances. Each of the Houston Symphony’s musicians possesses incredible technical skill and musicality, and the series allows them well-deserved solo turns. The Houston Symphony’s Grammy Award-winning audio engineer Brad Sayles further ensures that the musicians’ performances are transmitted faithfully with high quality sound. This month the series continues with performances from Concertmaster Yoonshin Song, Principal Flute Aralee Dorough and Oboist Colin Gatwood, Principal Double Bass Robin Kesselman, and Associate Principal Flute Matthew Roitstein. “During this forced time-off from the orchestra Colin and I have been occupying ourselves rather intensely with arranging and composing using digital audio software. We are excited to use these new tools in conjunction with a new way of performing.” says Principal Flute Aralee Dorough. Visit houstonsymphony.org for tickets and more information.
ARALEE DOROUGH, PRINCIPAL FLUTE
YOONSHIN SONG
ARALEE DOROUGH & COLIN GATWOOD
ROBIN KESSELMAN
MATTHEW ROITSTEIN
This month, we are pleased to welcome two new musicians to the orchestra: Associate Principal Second Violin Amy Semes and Associate Principal Bassoon Isaac Schultz. Get to know these remarkable musicians as they share their stories with InTune.
Amy Semes, born in Broomall, Pennsylvania, graduated from Rice University, Shepherd School of Music in 2019, where she received a Master of Music, studying with Kathleen Winkler. In 2017, she graduated from the Juilliard School with a Bachelor of Music, studying with Naoko Tanaka. At Juilliard, she held a Gluck Community Service fellowship for three years. She has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony and the New World Symphony. Amy has previously attended the Tanglewood Music Center, Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and the Spoleto Festival USA.
I could not be happier! After playing with the orchestra for a few months, I was so welcomed by the second violin section and the whole orchestra. I felt so lucky to be able to play with the Houston Symphony, and I was very nervous going into the audition because I really wanted to continue to play with them. It is a privilege to be able to make music with such amazing musicians!
The main responsibilities as an associate principal are to support the principal, MuChen, in achieving her goals for the section. That involves ensuring that I am unified with her and the other string principals and helping to relay that unity to the rest of the section.
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR INSTRUMENT?
I have three sisters—two older and one younger—and I had been tagging along to my older sisters’ violin lessons since I was a baby. Since we already had a set of small violins and were already making trips to our violin teacher's house, it was natural that I started playing. Our teacher was also quite eager to start teaching me!
WHAT HOBBIES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY?
I like running, hiking, biking— anything that involves being outside, really. I also recently got an Australian Shepherd puppy, Haven. I’ve had a lot of fun with her so far!
Top : My sisters and me hiking at American lake in Colorado.
Middle: Crossing the finish line in the last half marathon I ran in 2019.
Bottom: A few of the violinists backstage getting ready to play the 2019 gala!
Isaac Schultz earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he studied with Benjamin Kamins. As a chamber musician, Isaac was a medalist at the 2015 Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition and a finalist at the Coleman Competition. He has appeared in performances with the Pacifica Quartet, John Kimura Parker, and Jorja Fleezanis. He has been a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival, the Music Academy of the West, and the Festival Institute at Round Top. A New Hampshire native, Isaac is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and loves fitness and the outdoors.
When I first started playing occasional concerts with the Houston Symphony, I hardly dared to hope that I might play with the orchestra as a contracted substitute, and as a substitute I hardly dared to hope that I might be able to join the group permanently! I have learned so much from all of my colleagues, made lasting friendships within the orchestra, and have grown to love the city of Houston. I cannot wait to make new memories as I continue my journey with the Symphony!
As associate principal I play first bassoon on certain pieces, usually on the first half of a concert. I also play other bassoon parts, such as third bassoon on pieces that require a fourbassoon section, such as Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique or Mahler’s Ninth Symphony.
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR INSTRUMENT?
My parents play flute and oboe respectively and teach at Kinhaven, a music camp for high school students in Vermont. Growing up, I would spend the summers with them at Kinhaven and had the chance to experience many instruments. From a very early age, I was drawn to low sounds and was fascinated by the bassoon especially. As an oboist, my mother spends much of her time making her own reeds, and when I was little, she would let me pretend to help her operate a gouger, an oboe reed-making machine. In retrospect, I was doing more pretending than helping, but I was enthralled by the mechanism of the device; the tactile nature of bassoon reed-making has appealed to me ever since.
WHAT HOBBIES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY?
While in high school, I attended the Mountain School, a semester program on an organic farm in Vermont, and aside from playing with the Houston Symphony that was the best time of my life. I have been passionate about the outdoors ever since. During my freshman year of college, I hiked alone for 31 days on the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Vermont. It was among my most wild, profound, and beautiful experiences. I have now hiked 800 miles of the Appalachian Trail, through-hiked Vermont’s Long Trail, and completed New Hampshire’s 48 peaks over 4,000 feet. I also yoyo and make yoyo videos, one of which was on the Symphony’s Instagram recently! I am a former powerlifter, but now I spend time rock climbing and running.
Top : A very young Isaac with the Houston Symphony’s new artistic partner, Itzhak Perlman. The photo was taken at Kinhaven (Maestro Perlman’s daughter was attending the camp and studying the flute with my father at the time). Middle: A long, exhausting day on the Ellingwood Ridge of La Plata Peak in Colorado. Bottom: Deep in the pain cave while running the Power of Four mountain trail ultramarathon in Aspen.
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GRE AT ITALIAN WINES FROM ALTO-ADIGE
Professional musicians typically feel an intimate connection with their instruments. As vehicles for self-expression, musical instruments are like musicians’ voices, and after hours of practice, rehearsal, and performance, an instrument can begin to feel like a natural extension of a musician’s body. These precious works of art often have unique, even dramatic backstories, with mysterious provenances, mistaken (or forged) identities, and rare musical qualities. The instruments that grace the Jones Hall stage are no exception. Here, a few of the Houston Symphony’s musicians share the remarkable stories of their treasured instruments.
luthier [ˇlu ti ər] noun a maker of stringed instruments, as violins, violas, cellos, or basses.
associate principal double bass TimDilenschneider
I perform on an Italian bass made by Enrico Bajoni in Milan, Italy in 1878. The instrument bears an inscription of the year, location, and name of the maker on the inside lower part of the rib. The back, sides, and scroll are made of poplar and the top is made of spruce. The size is the first thing people usually notice, as it is extremely small for a bass, but despite its modest dimensions it has a very powerful sound that is usually associated with much larger instruments. This makes it perfect for both orchestral and solo playing and is a major factor in why I fell in love with the instrument. This bass is an excellent example of the maker's work, and because it is so well preserved, it has been used to help identify other instruments Enrico Bajoni made that were either incorrectly or falsely labeled. A fun fact about my instrument is that it was formerly part of the collection at the Curtis Institute of Music, my alma mater, and still bears the school’s stamp on its back.
Finding a cello is a long and arduous process. When searching for a cello, you must fly to other cities (typically New York and Chicago in the States) to try them. If you like a cello, you must then buy an airline seat to bring it back home for a longer trial (and another to return it if it does not work out). Additionally, the best cellos are generally considered to be the instruments made between 300 and 400 years ago in Italy. For most other musicians, top quality instruments are valuable but still attainable, but for string players, many of the best violins, violas, and cellos can run into the millions or even the tens of millions of dollars. As you can imagine, they are beyond the reach of most working musicians. However, it is possible to be a bargain hunter. During my search from 2007 to 2009, I tried perhaps 150 cellos and brought eight or nine back to Houston. I finally found a cello that I loved whose maker was unknown. The lack of attribution allowed me to buy a 300-year-old Italian cello for a comparatively low price. I called it a “Costo Generic” Italian cello. Over the next 10 years, my cello became the subject of slow, methodical detective work as I endeavored to solve the mystery of its creation: dendrochronology determined the age of its youngest growth rings (1692), and after two visits to the world’s leading authority in London, I finally received a positive identification that it was made by the Brescian luthier Gaetano Pasta, circa 1710–20. principal cello Brinton Averil Smith
My viola was created by the Italian craftsman Alta Vila around 1908. He was part of what was called the Neapolitan School of luthiers. As anyone who has ever glanced inside any string instrument knows, most luthiers stamp their names on the interiors of the instruments they make. Alta Vila was known for stamping the names of more famous contemporaries inside his instruments in order to make easier sales! In my case, he stamped in Gagliano Filius. I bought my instrument in New York City; I fell in love with it after playing only one scale! I usually play with an English bow made by William Hill from the same time period. viola
principal clarinet Mark Nuccio
Choosing clarinets is not an easy process. This picture was taken on one of about 50 trips I have made over the years to one of the headquarters of the world-renowned clarinet maker Buffet Crampon, either in Paris (approximately four trips) or, more often, in Jacksonville, Florida. It shows only one of the three rooms filled with clarinets for me to examine during a single trip. My trips to Jacksonville are always made with the understanding that I will take the best set of instruments available if they are better than anything I currently own. I also choose instruments for other professional clarinetists as well as two music dealers. Each visit to Jacksonville takes two to three days since Buffet clarinets are hand-finished, and I have been regularly engaged in this process for 25 years. It is a labor of love for the art. As you may have heard, on January 28, 2020, my clarinets were stolen from my vehicle—I had left them on the backseat floor for five minutes while I was in a store. The instruments stolen in January were two out of approximately 10,000 clarinets I had tried during previous trips to Buffet Crampon! They will not be easy to replace. How did I choose to play the clarinet in the first place? Both my father and mother were clarinet players, so when my parents asked me what instrument I wanted to play in 4th grade, the question was, “Do you want to play the clarinet or something else?” If I chose the clarinet, I could play my father’s professional instrument—my father was a professional clarinetist in the Air Force Academy Band and played on a Buffet R13 clarinet, the same model I play in the Houston Symphony. If not, I would likely have a student-line rental trumpet or set of drums. I thought that the clarinet might be nice since I could use Dad’s, and it was a first-rate instrument.
clarinet ChristianSchubert
Because clarinets have optimal response and beauty of sound during the first five years they are played onstage in the orchestra, we clarinetists are always looking for our next great set of horns. On a standard symphony concert, clarinetists usually use two clarinets: one pitched in the key of B-flat and one in the key of A. I found my new set this past November and February. My colleague Sasha Potiomkin found my new A clarinet during an instrument buying trip to Paris last November, and I was equally thrilled to purchase a new B-flat clarinet from the largest lot (twenty-five!) of brand new Buffet Prestige clarinets that were sent from Buffet in Paris to Mark Nuccio shortly after his clarinets were stolen. Even though I purchased them in November and February, it was not until the middle of April that they arrived back from my instrument technician in Ohio. He rebuilds the instruments to fit in my hands better and respond and tune perfectly. The excitement of knowing how great these two instruments sounded in Jones Hall before the rebuilding was huge, but the biggest excitement will be when we are back in Jones Hall and I can hear them onstage fully optimized. I feel fortunate that this set will probably turn out to be the best I have ever played in Jones Hall.
