ARTISTIC PHILOSOPHY
Art is communication. I love sharing my passion through performance, writing, and talks. Breaking the fourth wall in the concert hall is so important. People feel included; they are invited to participate in the experience. This is particularly important with contemporary music. I like to say, “Don’t be afraid of modern music—be afraid of being an old-fashioned communicator!”
Making music is also tremendously fun. Nailing a passage, sticking the tutti chord landing, tuning a chord perfectly – these are high-five moments. The feeling of accomplishment is electrifying. It transmits to the auditorium. A spiritual bond between the audience and the interpreters arises. It is why we play and why they come.
Great inspiration comes from the people I work with: composers with unique imaginations, fantastic soloists and chamber music partners, as well as the musicians in the orchestras I lead. I listen to their voices as much as to the sounds of their instruments. Indeed, the truest joy of music-making comes from listening.
Experience is gained with time. Thirty years of conducting professionally gives me tools – and perspective. My rehearsals are carefully structured. I know ahead of time what needs to be accomplished. Meanwhile, one must allow for flexibility. I actively solicit feedback, especially after introducing a complicated musical concept. Every question answered brings us closer to a holistic interpretation.
Besides musical preparation, crafting concert programs occupies a significant portion of my time. Commissioning new music and familiarizing myself with newly composed pieces complement the on-going study of legacy works. In my first ten seasons with the Rogue Valley Symphony, I repeated only one piece of music (it happened to be Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks). I am keen on discovery and deepening my knowledge. It is not a selfish pursuit, however. I design programs that reflect on our reality. They must resonate with the audience in that moment in time. You will never find me programming the same old, same old.
This leads me to a point about artistic responsibility: artists must continuously evolve along with a changing culture. We reflect the world and respond to its needs through artistic messaging. To be successful, both parts of our vocation must be attended to: the athletic and the interior. Performing at a high level requires that our craft be continually maintained, which in turn demands a great deal of discipline. The interior part thrives through the constant nurturing of empathy, intellectual curiosity, and spirituality.
The greatest gift of music is that it brings us together. It reminds us of shared struggles and victories. Music celebrates our common humanity. Orchestras should strive to reaffirm this fundamental truth. The dazzling diversity of sounds produced on stage makes a convincing case for unity and harmony in real life. In these moments, we have faith in each other.