Well... THAT was one interesting morning. One of the philosophies we try to implement at MYS (Minnesota Youth Symphonies) is exposing the students to top artists in the music world whenever possible. Weve had wonderful artists perform with the students at various times from the Grammy-winning Henry Charles Smith to Prairie Home Companion alumni Butch Thompson and Peter Oshstrushko, to Doc Severinsen, and several others. This morning saw us begin an early-morning rehearsal with the incomparable pianist Nachito Herrera who is our soloist on Rhapsody in Blue this coming May 4th at Benson Great Hall, Bethel University. Ive known Nacho for many years since he came here from Cuba and we have been colleagues many times on various stages. His monthly appearances at the Dakota Jazz Club are legendary. He loves the work done by the students at MYS and relishes the opportunity to make good music with them. Having known him for so long I was able to guess virtually all of his tempi without the benefit of a soloists rehearsal prior to todays reading. After the initial dizzying whoop of the solo clarinetist he fairly pounced on Gershwins music and made it his own, much to the amusement of the accompanying forces judging from the smiles I saw. He has a few surprises up his sleeve regarding some additions were making. What are they? I suppose youll just have to come to the concert and find out! Nachitos appearance would have certainly been enough but we just werent done. I was putting the students through their paces in Tchaikovskys Capriccio Italien when I saw the marks of distraction in their faces as dozens of pairs of eyes shifted to something to my left, behind me. I stopped conducting and said, Hes right behind me, isnt he? Many nods of assent let me know that our second special guest of the day had arrived in the form of The Boss. We invited The Boss to come conduct two of our orchestras to which he agreed without hesitation. You see, The Boss has this thing for young music students: he believes they are the future and that we who are involved in playing professionally have an obligation to help them along when we can. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to have you welcome someone who began his interest in conducting much as I did, as a young man who heard a recording that inspired him to want to get up in front of people and wave his arms... please welcome my boss, Osmo Vänskä. The students rose immediately from their chairs as a sign of respect and applauded warmly for the Grammy-winning musician who was taking time from a busy schedule to be with them. All smiled broadly whether they were dressed normally or in Finnish blue and white or proudly sporting their YMM T-shirts. They knew they were in for a spectacular hour of learning. And learn they did. The expression heard around Orchestra Hall, Its not soft until its Osmo soft was now better understood as they tried to the quiet dynamics of pacing that the Minnesota Orchestra is now famous for. They learned that softer does not mean slower as well as louder not meaning automatically faster, too. They learned the importance of maintaining a groove when passing sounds from one section to another. In short, they understood even better the importance of listening to others while they executed a phrase of music. After a solid hour they gathered around him for a handshake, a hug, a photo, an autograph... anything to make the last hour endure a bit longer. Now I understand the role of a handler as I tried to give him a moment to drink some water and inhale a snack before going off to the next orchestra. It was tempting to want to just push everyone aside and say Dude! Let the man breathe! But The Boss is a good sport and loves to see the good feelings great music brings. Its irresistible when one sees such sincere enthusiasm. Whats not to love? He then went on to conduct the Repertory Orchestra in a rehearsal of the Overture to Die Meistersinger by Richard Wagner. He soon had them jumping through hoops, as well. Oh, what a beautiful morning. Thanks, Boss and gracias, Nachito. You have done something very sweet today because you understand that the best investment in young people is not money. Its time.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:13:58 +0000
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