Letter from Paxson (9/29)

Happy October, Philharmonic!

Last week’s rehearsal was an important step in the process of us getting to know each other, musically speaking. I sensed a heightened desire from you all to really be together (and an increased dissatisfaction when things weren’t together).

Thank you all for taking initiative like this! The way for us to have high artistic standards as an ensemble is for each and every one of us to take it upon ourselves to do our part in holding that up. We have started to define for ourselves what those standards are – now we begin in earnest the process of putting those ideals into practice with everything we play.

We made great progress on Schumann mvt I last week, and I want to keep up that momentum. Here’s the plan for Tuesday:

6:45-8:00 Schumann mvt I

8:00-8:15 Copland – The Open Prairie again

8:30-9:15 Copland – Prairie Night, Billy’s Death

Prairie Night and Billy’s Death feature smaller orchestration, so check with your part before rehearsal. If you are tacet for these movements, you are free to leave after Schumann. Give Prairie Night a listen before rehearsal – in my opinion, it’s the most beautiful (and most difficult to pull off) movement in all of Billy the Kid.

In the meantime, go over the parts of Schumann mvt I that are still giving you trouble. Next week will be all about making the Schumann clean (especially after rehearsal C).

If you are still interested in auditioning for the Copland piano part and you haven’t yet reached out to me, send me an email so I can send you the audition excerpts. Auditions will be in person before rehearsal next week – plan to show up by 6:15.

For all percussionists: please feel free to “take turns” playing timpani on Schumann (switching off every few minutes or so). It will behoove each of you to learn the entire symphony’s timpani part anyway, and we have a very long time to rehearse this piece, so I’d like each of you to get experience playing the whole thing.

“To send light into the darkness of people’s hearts – such is the duty of the artist.”

– Robert Schumann