Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra-Celebrating my 20th season as Concertmaster
It’s amazing to think that 20 years have passed since I was first contacted by Larry Newland to step in as concertmaster on short notice with the HSO. At the end of that first season, national auditions were held and I was fortunate enough to officially win the concertmaster chair. Two years later, I moved to Harrisburg, sensing both the HSO’s need for my physical presence in the community and a cultural scene that was rapidly redifining itself in positive ways. I remember telling Ellen Hughes, in a “Desert Island Discs” interview, I had every hope of developing a string section and sound to rival those of leading American orchestras, with an emphasis on quality and attention to detail. I’m very pleased at how incredibly far we’ve come towards those goals. I am equally inspired to continue developing that sound and discipline to an even higher level in the next 20 years. After all, the only way to reach new milestones is to constantly challenge oneself and the team. As for the team, my colleagues are among the best musicians one could possibly hope for. They are committed, enthusiastic, prepared, and professional, but what really sets this group apart is the sense of identity IT has developed as an orchestra. The strength of that common thread has been the great fortune of any conductor lucky enough to stand on the podium.
My love affair with Brahms has been a long one, spanning over 30 years, four symphonies, three sonatas, the fiddle concerto and numerous chamber music works. For me, his music often represents one of the pinnacles of music in its organic combination of instrumental virtuosity and compositional content. The concerto, much like the two piano concerti, is very symphonic in nature, requiring a wonderful orchestra and excellent collaboration from the podium, both of which we have here in Harrisburg. I’ve often bragged to other orchestras and conductors of Stuart Malina’s uncanny abilities as a concerto collaborator and the orchestra’s ability to accompany with sensitivity and commitment. I could not think of a better work with which to celebrate this, my 20th year, as Concertmaster. We’ll perform it twice at The Forum in Harrisburg, PA on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 8pm and Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 3pm. When I discovered that Brahms First Symphony would be on the program, I made the decision to sit concertmaster for the second half, despite my concerto appearance. That happens to be another favorite of mine and the orchestra’s. I remember a particulary excellent performance of the work in the 1990’s under the baton of Richard Westerfield. It will be exciting to discover a new interpretation with Stuart.