OSO Concert

Last weekend was the third series concert of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra where I have sat principle cello for the past 10 years. Featured was pianist John O'Conor who played the Beethhoven 3rd Piano Concerto and a collection of Irish tunes arranged for him. He is a very fine pianist and it was a real pleasure to work with him. Fingal's Cave (Hebrides) was on the program as well as a small bit from Verdi"s "Macbeth". My buddy Lyle Lamboley sat with me on the first stand and that is always a pleasure. In the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra we switch places and he sits principle. Keeps each of us from getting a big head!

Friday Duo Cellissimo will play at Dale's Salon in downtown Gainesville for the monthly Art Walk. Haven't done this before and we're looking forward to it. Should be fun.

Harmageddon

I have finally figured out (with help from my wonderful recordist, Terry Moo) to get the recital DVD onto my hard disk and then to segment it to isolate and save individual clips. I can, therefore, now present to your our (me, my wife and two students) rendition of Harmageddon from the Inquisition Symphony by Apocalyptica. Enjoy and feel free to share your comments.

Busy Two Weeks

Well, the last two weeks have been hectic. January 25 was our Cello Power Studio recital. We had 20 students performing (3 more were unable to attend) plus two guests. We held the recital at the Thomas Center Spanish Court, a magnificent recital space owned by the city of Gainesville. This was our first time holding the recital anywhere but a private home. We missed the warmth and cosiness, but the space and sound were imcomperable. My cousin Jerry from Brooklyn, who studies via webcam, performed "The Lass of Aughrim" from the John Houston movie, "The Dead". That was wonderful. Then his wife, Vicki, joined him in the same piece with Jerry playing a made-up part to back her up. Awesome. Then, later on the program, Linda and I played a cello duet by Forrester followed by a cello/guitar duet with her husband, Paul, also by Forrester. And then the grand finale was a piece for four celli with me, spouse and co-teacher Adrienne, and two teen students, Marion and Alicia. The piece was "Harmageddon" by Apocalyptica. Blew everyone out of the hall. When I get the DVD back from the recordist, I will try to figure out how to upload the "Harmageddon" track to this blog so you can see and hear it for yourself.

So no sooner was the recital over then it was concert week for the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra for whom I sit assistant principle. Featured work was the Dvorak Symphony #8. Also on the program was a Suite by Chadwick and the Florida Suite by Delius. Concert went very well, especially the Dvorak. But the real feature of the night was Ellie Blair, a renowned local artist who specializes in southern and Florida scenes, who created from blank canvas a four by six foot painting while we played. When completed (in about two hours and coincident with the end of the concert) she had produced a painting of the famous Magnolia Tree at the Thomas Center (see above!). This painting was beyond belief - incredible energy in color use, brushstroke and overall conception. This woman is big time! It was quite an evening,