THE BACK PAGE As Cleveland Orchestra musicians prepare their long-awaited return to Severance Hall, we asked the six members of the horn section what it feels like to
H RNS
come together for the first time in
more than a year, what they’re looking forward to, and about their notoriously
Q: What was it like this summer at Blossom to come together
difficult yet rewarding instrument.
as an ensemble for the first time in over a year?
PHOTO BY ROGER MASTROIANNI
Jesse: Having been away for 477 days (I counted), the anticipation had certainly built up. Returning and gathering as an Orchestra again was an amazing feeling, like making a full recovery after a bad injury. It is very nice to feel artistically whole again, and to be sharing our art with our audience. Nathaniel: To say that our first rehearsal back was incredibly special would be the understatement of the century. The rehearsal began with Copland’s Appalachian Spring, which opens with a clarinet solo, played beautifully by Afendi Yusuf. I remember Jesse and me looking at each other and sharing this silent moment that we were just so grateful to be back! Alan: I had actually considered retiring during that sixteen-month ‘Covid hiatus.’ Sitting in the middle of the exquisite beauty of that first piece during the first rehearsal, I was EXTREMELY grateful to be there. Rich: I think we all were very excited to be back at work and playing together. Nervous, as well, at least for me — was wind playing without masks going to be safe? But, after such a long time, it was absolutely wonderful.
Q: What will it be like to return to Severance Hall this fall?
PHOTO BY JANE MEDORO
What are you most looking forward to?
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Hans: The start of the first full season in Severance in two years will be incredibly special. I don’t think we realized how much we’ve missed our audience. I was extremely touched when we returned to Blossom on July 3 for the first concert of the summer and the audience — even those seated on the lawn — stood up and gave us a standing ovation. It made my spine tingle. Coming back to our audiences at Severance Hall will be extremely powerful.
