Five Things about the SA Symphony: VIVA ALONDRA

I heard the San Antonio Symphony Friday night at the Majestic Theatre in downtown San Antonio.
1. The program began with the Star Spangled Banner - odd for the second classics concert - which is really not a big thing, but should they play it for all the concerts? Someone mentioned this was the start of a different series than the last concert; but come on SA Symphony management, seriously? Make it standard on ALL concerts or just the FIRST of the season; or better yet, do different versions every time, which would be nice for the audience AND the players/singers.
2. Clarice Assad's Brazilian Fanfare is downright fun. Not a serious piece at all, it changes moods and themes quickly. While it is not a seasoned work, it shows brilliant orchestration and rhythm. These were brought out with the orchestra by the talented Maestro Alondra de la Parra - who should be the next Music Director of the SA Symphony.
3. Debussy's Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun was sumptuous. de la Parra brought out stunning dynamics and soaring melody lines from the orchestra. Principal flute Tal Perkes was delightful, as well as Principal Horn Jeff Garza in solos.
4. Rounding out the first half was Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto. The soloist was Jennifer Koh, who I have seen several times in concert (read previous Five Things) and interviewed on the radio before. Somehow, this was not the star I have heard, no doubt due to a cold. Often it was scratchy, as if she was impersonating Zukerman(!), instead of her usual gorgeous sound. In the audience, cellphones and snores detracted from the performance. An encore of Bach (Partita #2, allemande) was better, but after hearing Shaham's Bach recently in the same space, it was not as inspiring. Again, I believe it was poor health that contributed to this performance - even quarterbacks like Kurt Warner have bad days, you just hope they aren't the day of the Superbowl...
5. The program ended with Beethoven's glorious Seventh Symphony. String Basses were moved to the back of the stage and brass brought to the side, experimenting with the sound at the Majestic - with great improvement! The energy of Alondra was infectious, for the ensemble (who castly improved from the morning rehearsal) and for the audience who leapt to their feet and gave a huge ovation for de la Parra. It was well deserved. This "war horse" had shape and motion, an arc that moved logically, artistically and brilliantly through Beethoven's music. This is a concert to catch and share with your friends - it repeats tonight at 8pm.

The San Antonio Symphony should move now to hire Alondra de la Parra. Not just for marketing reasons: she is a young, beautiful, latina conductor who has spark and moxie. Nor should they hire her just for the raw talent which shows and gleams in her attitude, baton and spirit.
They should hire her because it is the right thing to do. True EXCITEMENT in the classical world is rare unfortunately. de la Parra exudes charisma and intelligence. She has ideas on audience building, music, outreach, and education. In an uncertain world, hiring Alondra would go to having leadership, a musical guide and energy building force for the San Antonio Symphony. The path is clear in this, stop the search and announce that Alondra de la Parra is the seventh Music Director of the San Antonio Symphony.

Here is an interview with Alondra on stage @ the Majestic:

SA Sym: Alondra de la Parra from Classical Spotlight on Vimeo.

Hair of the dog

With my new haircut (its not really new I got it cut 4 months ago!) I get lots of looks and comments. A mohawk (or eskiMOHAWK as I like to refer to it) is different, and as I have found out, alot of work to keep it from being a fauxhawk...what I save in shampoo I spend on shaving cream and gel, ah life's rich pageant.
So these days I am used to getting stopped in the grocery store and being asked if I am the last of my kind, at the dry cleaners asking what punk band I play in, and general stares of, oh my gosh, that guy has a mohawk, he must be a punk. Little do they realize I am a classically trained musician, who specializes in the music of our time.
So yesterday at lunch with a coworker I was asked by a complete stranger if I was in a motorcycle gang. Now mind you, I was wearing a suit (my closet remains full of clothes of a "Kansas College professor", and on most days recently, all black!) and still was asked seriously if I was in a motorcycle gang.
I replied, no, and without a beat the lady asked if I wanted to be in one, that her husband was right over at another table. Gee, I don't even own a motorcycle, could I still join a gang?!
The eskiMOHAWK is way fun, I get looks (even last night at the excellent recital of SOLI's pianist Carolyn True) whereever I go, and no doubt comments. I now am able to reply that my favorite author IS James Fennimore Cooper. Next, I need to start my own classical gang. Wanna join?

Visiting San Antonio

It's been a blast having my friend Maggie visit from Las Vegas. She has hung out at the apartment complex, enjoying coffee and grilling; met my folks, and then we've been to concerts, concerts and some concerts.





We've also hit the Riverwalk, and some of my favorite restaurants including Alamo Cafe and Liberty Bar.

Sunday I heard from my friend Lonnie (right), who came to town to hear the Texas State High School Marching Band competition, and was joined by his family too.

It's been way cool to share friends and my new town with folks - come on by and stay awhile!

Past, present, future weekend

Last weekend, amidst recitals I took my folks to a luncheon...here they are at the China Buffet

myself with mom and Sister Jo-Michelle

and my mom afterwards petting a dog specially trained to visit with the elderly.

This weekend is another filled with concerts, and next weekend I'll get them to AccessAbility.

Five Things about Camerata San Antonio

I heard "Romantic Beginnings" with the Camerata San Antonio Sunday afternoon at Travis Park United Methodist Church.

1. Melinda Lee Masur, piano; Karen Stiles and Sayaka Okada, violins; Emily Watkins Freudigman, viola; and Kenneth Freudigman, cello; were joined by violist Yizhak Schotten for a great start to their sixth season. They played in Kerrville and Boerne on Thursday and Friday, so it was no surprise that it was well polished on Sunday. (Schotten also gave a great masterclass and played Brahms' Sonata #2, opus 120 on Saturday afternoon with Melinda Lee Masur.)

2. The program opened with Melinda and Ken playing Chopin's Introduction and Polonaise Brillante, a youthful (written at age 19) work that exudes love and joy. Tempos were brisk and exciting, with plenty of bravura for both.

3. Next was Hans Krasa's music, two short works written in a concentration camp just before Krasa's murder by the Nazi's. His music is well crafted and got a great performance from Okada and the Freudigmans (men? hahaha).

4. Joaquin Turina's Scene Andalouse is a rare gem that should be heard much more often. Imagine a Debussyian texture with Spanish flavor with a gentle protaganist and you pretty much have it. Schotten was in the center leading in perfect style, and Lee provided lush and flashy color, along with the quartet of Stiles, Okada, and the Freudigmans.

5. After intermission, a late string work by Brahms capped the program nicely, the String Quintet, opus 111. Ken sang with the intensity and passion required for the opening motif, and Schotten blended well with the San Antonians. There were smiles all around as each part cued here and there, allowing for phrases to play out with panache and ebb-and-flow easily. Especially tender was the slow movement allowing Stiles to shine in the upper register.

A pre-concert talk and reception added to the afternoon - you won't want to miss their next performance, October 19th featuring Tal Perkes, flute. Learn more here.

Job Search 3

So last month I was a finalist (1 of 2) for Texas Public Radio's Host/Producer position in San Antonio (30th Market).

I went down and had a chance to see the city, meet the staff, and learn more about the place in general. I had previously been to San Antonio for a cigar sales convention in 2000, and more recently in 2004 for a public radio convention.

Turns out, we all clicked. (The fresh guacamole the night before my interview, made by the charming Tanya pictured right, certainly helped!)

I have accepted the job and yesterday gave 2 weeks notice at WITF. I'll start next month at TPR as the new afternoon host (2 to 6pm) for KPAC. It's an all classical station and I'm very excited to have new adventures.