Cellists have more fun

First of all, I would like to observe that Winter arrived in unexpected haste and frigidity this year. Last week, I was in Indianapolis and it was nearly 80F. Now I'm back home and it's barely breaking 30F. Je n'aime pas.

Tonight I went to the Sioux City Symphony's performance with my mom. I suppose I went with my dad, too, but he plays the cello in the symphony so I didn't sit with him... though God knows I would have LOVED to have been down there on that stage. After not playing my violin for a few months, I find that I miss it more every day. I'm hoping to audition for SCSO as soon as possible... which may be a while since they're auditioning new conductors.

The conductor of tonight's performance was Alexander Platt of Chicago. He was a spectacular conductor; animated, concise, and professional. He did, however, talk a lot. He introduced each piece with background info which could have been found in the program notes. I don't mind a little recap of the notes, but a five minute introduction seems slightly unecessary to me. Also performing tonight was Augustin Hadelich, violinist. He played Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1, op. 26, g minor, the last movement of which I'm certain I heard at Luther in violin seminar. Hadelich did a magnificent job - the solo sections were gorgeous and he played with such gusto I thought he might leap off the stage.

Going to SCSO, or any musical event for that matter, makes me realize just how spoiled Luther's music program has made me. That isn't to say that SCSO is awful, but certainly LCSO has a certain edge to it that some professional orchestras can't have because their members don't have the time to spend an hour a day (or more) holed up in a practice room. I haven't experienced clapping between movements in four years. Agh. Ech. Blah. Of all of the things that drive me crazy, clapping between movements is at the top of the list.

Also, it seems to me that cellists have more fun... At Luther and at SCSO, the people who move consistently and who appear to have the happiest demeanor are the cellists. Except my dad, who is as serious as the plague, as always. :)

Well, it's now 11:20 and I am EXHAUSTED. It is definitely time for bed. I'm excited to attend 1st Presbyterian for the first time since summer tomorrow!! :D