Our last performance was quite a blow to the ego of yours truly. One of the principle reasons that I wanted to play in Kankakee was that I wanted to give the musicians of the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, all of whom I adore and work with every Sunday, the chance to see me play. They see me snatch some cellist's instrument and demonstrate a bowing or a technique or one of their hot licks, and I sit in with them in one section or another at some rehearsals, but they have always had to take it on faith that I can play more than that.
Well, it turns out that my snake-bit relationship with Kankakee continues. We drew four, count 'em, four people, aside from our friend that ended up taking videos and pictures. After intermission, there was but one kind soul still there. So we played the Ropartz to her. I must say I wasn't able to get my mind right. I had a lot of stuff swirling through my head as we played. As we were leaving, we ran into four or five people that had heard me play in church that morning. They were looking forward to the recital "next week." Oh well.
I've chosen to share video of the second movement of the sonata despite a small camera mishap at the outset. Of what we have, I think it's fairly representative of the day, and if I keep claiming that it's gorgeous music and we have to win you over one person at a time, it will take generations longer than I will live.
We're working on some new repertoire. The cello sonata of John Ireland is one work, and it's not even the most obscure. Poem by Jurgis Karnavicius anyone? And Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Part, I'm discovering, is the most difficult "easy" piece ever. We should have some summer dates soon.
Until then.
DEF
We're working on some new repertoire. The cello sonata of John Ireland is one work, and it's not even the most obscure. Poem by Jurgis Karnavicius anyone? And Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Part, I'm discovering, is the most difficult "easy" piece ever. We should have some summer dates soon.
Until then.
DEF
