Letter from Paxson (10/20)

Hello Philharmonic!

Thank you for another exciting and productive rehearsal this week. I especially enjoyed getting started on the absolutely sublime second movement of Schumann. Like we’ve discussed many times, slow music has an entirely different (and more sophisticated) set of challenges – it requires careful attention to long phrases and absolute beauty of sound as well as a heightened sense of inner pulse and listening, especially in music that pushes and pulls the beat like this movement does.

Here’s the rehearsal plan for this week:

6:45 – 7:10 Schumann movement II (rehearsal P to end)

7:10 – 8:00 Copland (The Open Prairie, Street in a Frontier Town, Mexican Dance + Finale, Prairie Night, Gun Battle)

8:15 – 9:00 Schumann movement I

9:00 – 9:15 Schumann movement I run

Additionally, we have string auditions happening during rehearsal next week! During rehearsal, you’ll leave the rehearsal room one at a time to play for the coach. One student will wait outside the audition room while another student auditions. When you finish, return to rehearsal and let the next student in your section know it’s their turn to go to the audition room!

As per my message yesterday, please play the divisi line you have been playing all semester, with the two following exceptions:

Violin I: Schumann movement II concertmaster solo (everyone should prepare the top solo line mm.384 – 400)

Cello: Schumann movement II solo (everyone top solo line mm.360 – rehearsal O)

I hope this clears things up, and I apologize for any prior confusion about excerpt divisi. I also hope you are looking forward to the audition as a means of showcasing the hard work you’ve been putting in all semester – try your best to keep in mind the way your part fits in with the whole orchestra as you practice these excerpts. It is tricky to do this while also focusing on your individual part, but the judges will be able to hear the difference.

Carefully listen to yourself, the quality of sound that you are making – and, most especially, your rhythm and sense of pulse. As we have discussed, I have the Lebhaft of Schumann movement I at quarter note = 88 at measure 29 and quarter note = 96 at rehearsal M. For movement II, default to quarter note = 52.Lastly, remember to bring character to all of these excerpts! When preparing audition excerpts myself, I always liked to write a couple “character words” next to each excerpt as a means to reorient myself – things like “joyful” or “melancholy” or “ferocious.”

Fall Festival (11/14) is fast approaching! We only have three more Tuesday night rehearsals together before our performance of Schumann movement I. We are in good shape, but I need your help to take this performance from good to great! Please continue to be fastidious with your individual parts. Like we’ve discussed, Schumann’s musical method is to take one simple idea and turn it into vivid and dramatic musical landscapes, so every detail is crucial! When we take this music from 720p to 4k, so to speak, it really brings the emotional intensity to life in a way that will wow the audience.

You can do it! Happy practicing, and see you next week.