Today is the big day, one more recital and two more concertos, and then the big announcement! Bob Schieffer will speak at the closing ceremony and then off to the Worthington for the party! Today James Conlon talks about the growth of the competitors throughout the week (mentions some surprises), I compare the same excerpts from Bozhanov and Tsujii’s Rachmaninov 2 rehearsals, and then in my conversation with FWSO concertmaster Michael Shih we talk about the communication with blind Japanese Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii followed by some words about that from Nobuyuki after his concerto performance. Also what to do if you are in the orchestra and don’t want to make the 60 mile round trip each day…..(One more Cliburn post tomorrow)
James discusses how his feelings have changed from rehearsal to rehearsal with each finalist…
Comparing Bozhanov and Tsujii in Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2, first Bozhanov:
Now Tsujii:
[audio:http://www.insidethearts.com/sticksanddronesbeta/files/2009/06/cliburn-tsujii-rach-dress1.mp3]I talked with Michael Shih, the outstanding Concertmaster of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra whom I worked with for the first time exactly 8 years ago at the pre-rehearsals for the 2001 Cliburn competition. In our conversation the issue of communication came up in regards to performing with the blind Japanese Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii. It has been a revelatory experience for all of us to work with him, watch and listen to him and to learn quickly that there were no issues at all!: (below Tsujii himself speaks about this)
I caught the last question a reporter asked Nobuyuki regarding this very thing right after his Rachmaninov 2 performance yesterday, and he through his translator concurred with Michael:
The Fort Worth Symphony is a world class orchestra, their sound continues to gain in richness and the solo playing is exemplary. I feel lucky to be able to work with them regularly. Principal Viola Laura Bruton has always been an avid camper, she and her family look for any excuse to load up their RV to go an an Excellent Adventure! For the Cliburn finals she and Principal 2nd Violin Adriana DeCosta have been living in the RV at the Fort Worth Mid-Town RV park. It was covered in the Fort Worth Star Telegram and here is a video report: Tailgating the Cliburn!
Thanks for the mention Ron–and for using this picture instead of some others…
Glad I got to see you and Lisa. Keep up the good work–I am now a proud subscriber to your blog!