Schumann Cello Concerto, or Ken’s Folly?

Since Saturday’s performance of the Schumann Cello Concerto with Lancashire Chamber Orchestra, I’ve had a touching number of enquiries from friends and colleagues wanting to know how it went. Of course, since many were probably calling my decision to play this work...

The Final Program- Why Bobby 2

Many folks have raised an eyebrow when I tell them I have chosen the 2nd Symphony of the great Bobby Schumann to end my run at the Oregon East Symphony. “What,” they say, “no Mahler 9, no Beethoven 9, no Bruckner 9?” No, no 9ths! Here are Five Easy Reasons why I’m...

The Final Program- Gotterdammerung

Every concert has its drama. Not long ago, the drama was a plague of flies, which, last I heard, were still annoying the citizens of swish Altrincham. As I drove into Pendleton yesterday, I was struck by the vast devastation of the outer reaches of the city. The whole...