Through the next week I shall be in the beautiful city of Charlotte, N.C. It will be my pleasure to return to the podium of the Charlotte Symphony for concerts this weekend. These are not normal concerts – this particular CSO is looking for a Music Director.
Some years ago I stopped really participating in Music Director searches. If I am honest I would call myself a maverick, someone who doesn’t fit the mold of a “classic” Music Director by a very long stretch. Part of this is me and who I am. Part of this is the fact that much of Classical music, especially the orchestral world, is stuck somewhere deep in the 19th Century. So being on the MD search gerbil wheel became more and more depressing for me. So I stopped participating. Of course the next thing that happened was that I was offered the job in Edmonton. This reminds me that once I gave up on dating is when I found the gal who became my wife. It all goes to show you that sometimes you have to stop desperately wanting things before the universe will actually give them to you, which is the Taoist’s opposing theory to Trickle Down Economics if I’ve ever heard it.
None-the-less, when I received an invitation to return to Charlotte and take part in the MD search I decided that I should take part. One factor in my decision was that I had already been with the CSO once before. A few years back I conducted a week there that definitely sticks out in the unending parade of concerts that has become my life. There were a number of unusual things that make in memorable. First was the rep – I remember doing Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams. This was my first opportunity to conduct this ravishing work and I really enjoyed the experience. But it was the second half that took the cake – collaborating with master clarinetist Stanley Drucker we all introduced the Charlotte audience to the Corigliano Clarinet concerto. YIKES!!! It’s a huge piece with brass choirs up in the audience, large percussion, modern orchestral techniques, dogs and cats living together, etc., etc. I believe my first words to the orchestra for rehearsal were: “I hope you all brought your GPS units ’cause you’re gonna need ’em.” But the orchestra brought it off with aplomb and the audience actually seemed to enjoy the experience.
I also remember how friendly everyone was. When you’re a guest conductor you can quickly tell the difference between a surly orchestra and one that is…… well, just a regular orchestra. What I mean is that in any collection of 80-90 people you’re going to have your happy people, your sad people, the crazies, the quiet ones, the whatever, and believe me orchestras are no different. But there are those orchestras that are NOT happy, and when they’re not happy they get surly. There’s nothing worse than trying to make music with a surly bunch of folks and this is not the category that I would put the Charlotte Symphony in. They were most welcoming to me, and I’m talking about musicians, staff, and Board. Perhaps it’s good old southern hospitality or it could just be the general organizational vibe. I am looking forward to getting a read on how things are these days, see if there have been any changes.
There are other things to consider with the CSO – they have had a slightly rocky road over the past few years, dealing with deficits, economic downturns, and the like. The musicians took a pay cut, which never improves anyone’s mood. But despite that there is also good news. They are participating in an endowment drive through the local Arts and Science council, and they have exhibited an ability to pull in donations late in the season and balance the budget. This all points to a Board that is struggling to keep things in order but is also willing to go out and knock on doors to get the community to support the organization. It is my belief that they have an idea as to how the orchestra could achieve fiscal stability and they are working towards it. I tend towards being optimistic that the CSO has the ability to achieve this goal in the not-to-distant future.
If memory serves they have an excellent hall with good acoustics. I cannot remember if they are the principal proprietors but I’m sure I will find that out. I do remember that there is a big empty space in back of the orchestra. Being the ex-organist that I am my immediate thoughts tend towards saying “put in a really awesome organ!!!” This is one of the great advantages that we have in Edmonton and I think every orchestra and hall benefit by having a good instrument at their disposal. Plus it looks really cool. Being the professional musician that I am I also remember having some great food in Charlotte. Right near the hall is a fabulous Soul Food restaurant where one can get “meat & 3” – for those of you who don’t know that means your choice of meat (usually some tender tasty stuff simmered in a good sauce) and your choice of three sides (sweet potatoes, greens, biscuits, whatever). The only choice you don’t get is what type of cholesterol driven heart attack you are going to have after eating there too many times. I’m looking forward to tempting some heart disease this week.
The orchestra seems to have a strong lineup for this season. Guest soloists include my good friends Lynn Harrell and Elmar Oliveira, as well as Peter Serkin and Bill Wolfram. Guest conductors include my USC compatriot Stefan Sanderling and Edwin Outwater.
A couple more details as I go into this week: The program is: Griffes White Peacock; Mozart Piano Concerto # 25; and Tchaikovsky Symphony #5. I was thrilled when the orchestra asked me to do the play/conduct routine for the Mozart. It is one of my favorite things to do anywhere. There are also ancillary meetings with musicians, staff, and Board members as part of the MD search process. Larger orchestras such as Chicago, Philadelphia, etc., can usually dispense with these as those huge institutions can better survive without day-to-day input by a Music Director. Medium sized orchestras such as the CSO (budget c. $8 million) rely more on the ability of a Music Director to directly run the organization and, of course, to fundraise. I’m going to try and squeeze in as many of these as possible but I must also practice, work out (I’m an avid cyclist), and study for the next couple of weeks (Calgary and Edmonton). They have shown a real desire to be flexible when it comes to my schedule and this is a definite plus for the organization. They understand, as it were.
That’s an overview of this next week. I’ll try to post regularly and give some insights as to the whole Music Director search process. I’m really looking forward to this week as I think it will be great fun to work with the CSO again. Stay tuned.