Blossom Memories with Richard K. Smucker

Q&A with RICHARD K. SMUCKER Music, Memories, & Brownies

EVEN BEFORE he was elected to chair The Cleveland Orchestra’s board of trustees, Richard Smucker was a regular at Blossom Music Center — and not just for orchestral concerts. We asked him about some of his favorite musical memories, and what makes Blossom special. We also remembered to ask for his wife’s Fudgy Brownie recipe.

Do you remember your fi rst performance at Blossom? The fi rst concert I saw at Blossom was in 1969, a year after it opened. It was the summer between my junior and senior years of college — and also the summer my wife and I got married. At that time, we were more interested in attending rock music concerts than orchestral ones. I’m not sure what the very fi rst show we attended was, but one of my earliest memories is a Helen Reddy concert. I remember everybody holding up their lighters — back then we didn’t have iPhones with picture screens, so the crowd held up actual lighters when she was singing “I Am Woman,” which really served as an anthem for the women’s movement during that period. Everyone became part of that song. It was a great communal experience.

Had you already been introduced to Cleveland Orchestra concerts at Severance Hall? Yes, my family would drive up from Orrville to Cleveland for the Christmas concerts at Severance Hall — and to do some holiday shopping. Going to Cleveland was a special event, and it took an hour and 15 minutes to drive each way back then. As soon as Blossom opened in 1968, all of a sudden The Cleveland Orchestra was a lot closer and accessible to a lot more people. People from Summit County, Stark County, Holmes County, Wayne County. All of us from that area could easily attend an evening concert. I think a lot of people were introduced to the Orchestra through Blossom, which was part of the whole idea for building Blossom Music Center in the fi rst place. And I think the idea really worked.

When did you fi rst start attending Cleveland Orchestra concerts at Blossom? Around the time that we started going to Blossom, we made it a point to go to the July 4th concerts. We always went to hear the 1812 Overture, performed by the Orchestra or the Pops. It was so much fun getting ready for the cannon blasts. Every time it went off , you’d jump out of your chair. But starting in the early 1970s or so, my wife and I, we’d go to four or fi ve Cleveland Orchestra concerts each summer with friends. We were all newlyweds, including Emily and me. We would pack a picnic and everyone would be assigned a course — you bring a salad, you bring the main course, you bring a dessert. Emily’s fudgy brownies were always a big hit. We almost always sat on the Lawn back then, maybe with a couple of blankets or folding chairs, and made it a wonderful long evening of food, entertainment, and conversation. Today, we tend to prefer sitting in the Pavilion, to be closer to the music, but the experience, inside and out, is really remarkable — and memorable.

Were you also still seeing rock and folk music at Blossom? That continued, too, for awhile. And we saw many — James Taylor, Jethro Tull, Simon & Garfunkel. And, probably more than once: Peter, Paul and Mary. Looking back, I’m astounded to see that Blossom had nearly every single major rock and roll band, and all the big-name folk singers, all the big music acts. And for us, it was always about more than just music. Back then, and even now, it’s about the message. When performances mean something, make a statement, they can really grip your soul. The folk singers of that era took a

stand with their music. And, frankly, classical music does that, too. Look at Beethoven’s Ninth and its message of brotherhood and harmony. Music stirs your emotions, to believe in something — I think that’s part of the attraction, why so many people attend.

Is there a recent concert that made a special impression on you? Absolutely. Just a few years ago, Yo-Yo Ma played Bach’s complete Solo Cello Suites. It was a great evening. There was a full audience and, even before he performed, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was there to listen to his playing. Having him sit on stage with just his cello and perform for two hours with the incredible acoustics at Blossom . . . that was truly remarkable! And that’s just one example for me of many truly emotionally satisfying evenings at Blossom, when the music and the stars — the ones in the sky as well as those onstage — just seem to align and lift your spirits, and make you incredibly glad to be alive. Music does that for me, and that’s why I love The Cleveland Orchestra.

What are you looking forward to seeing this summer? One thing that is so special about Blossom is its variety — from rock to country, classical, patriotic, opera, Broadway, and jazz. We have the opportunity to enjoy so many diff erent kinds of music at Blossom. Just looking at this summer — there’s a tribute to the Beatles, which will be great. There’s Gershwin and the Great American Songbook, there’s Mozart in the Meadows, and that doesn’t even include the presentations from Live Nation. I always do go when former festival director Jahja Ling is there, he’s Mr. Blossom to a lot of people in Northeast Ohio, and I can’t wait to see him conduct “Romantic Brahms.”

What has brought you back year after year? I’ve been to Tanglewood, Ravinia, the Hollywood Bowl — they’re all wonderful in their own ways. But from my experience, no festival is as family friendly, as satisfying in terms of acoustics and level of music, or located in as beautiful a landscape as Blossom. It is always a thrill for me to look out over the audience and see thousands of families of all ages enjoying time together and the evening’s entertainment. It’s truly special. It’s truly unique. There is so much for so many and in a setting that is unmatched. Blossom is a true gem.

INGREDIENTS

2 squares unsweetened chocolate 1⁄3 cup butter 2⁄3 cup fl our ¼ tsp. salt ½ tsp. baking powder 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½ cup nuts, chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt chocolate with butter in sauce pan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat. Mix fl our, salt, and baking powder, set aside. Beat eggs thoroughly. Gradually beat sugar into eggs. Blend in chocolate mixture, and vanilla. Add fl our mixture, stir well. Stir in the nuts (optional). Spread in greased 8-inch square pan. Bake for 25 minutes (moist and chewy) or about 30 minutes (cake-like). Cool in pan, cut into squares. Note: The recipe can be doubled; bake in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan 25-30 minutes.

CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA ARCHIVES

Emily’s Fudgy Brownies

EMILY SMUCKER, FROM GRANDMOTHER DELP