Into the maelstrom

by | May 3, 2007 | A view from the podium, Performing Life

I sit in Portland Airport and I’m feeling a little anxious. In less than two hours, I’ll be back in Pendleton for the first time since the OES offices burned down. I tried hard to get over a few weeks ago, but we had an illness in the family (what is it about bad...

Trust issues

by | May 2, 2007 | A view from the podium, Nuts and bolts, Study with Ken

Any smart conductor knows that one thing you never want to tell an orchestra, unless you absolutely have to, is anything along the lines of “watch me,” “follow me” any other turn of phrase that can be translated as “obey my will, you scum.” On the other hand, there...

Slava and Sacher

by | Apr 30, 2007 | A view from the podium

I’ve felt rather intimidated by the prospect of writing something meaningful about the passing of Rostropovich- so many have already said so much, and his career and life are already so celebrated that there is not a need for another summary of his accomplishments....