Our first rehearsal with Maestro Muti

this season… a reminder of what to look forward to starting in 2010. A total musician, with absolute command. And this story, from his arrival on American soil yesterday, involving a US Customs official:
‘What is the purpose of your visit?’
I told him, it is written here, Chicago Symphony.
‘Do you carry with you any meats?’
I look, [...]

about last week’s chamber music,

how could I forget to post?  First, the sextets.  Znaider is a wonderful player, which was true not only in our chamber concert but in his Beethoven concerto with the CSO later in the week.  He was also a gracious colleague and compelling leader.  We had two rehearsals, and that was just about right.  Not [...]

rehearsing sextets today

for tomorrow’s 7:30 PM Donor Appreciation concert on stage at Symphony Center.  Nikolaj Znaider is in town to lead the sextets (Schoenberg’s Verklarte Night and Brahms’ B-flat) and we have our first meeting this afternoon.  Should be a great time, as sextets usually are!
Akiko reminds me that another time Znaider was in town, also playing [...]