Ensemble Nobile

What a concert!!! As part of the 60th birthday party for Israel, the American-Israel Cultural Foundation has brought the five person Baroque group, "Ensemble Nobile" to Florida for a series of concerts. We were lucky enough to be in one of the places they performed - Gainesville!!! What a group. Consisting of viola da gamba, baroque violin, harpsichord, soprano and mandolin they played early 17th Century Venetian synagogue music, Venetian gondola music, Vivaldi and a variety of other music. They were outstanding. Perfect ensemble, stunning individual performances and winning stage presence. During the reception after, they all proved to be totally delightful people to talk with and share ideas with. To boot, the gambist is also a master luthier who made all the instruments (except the harpsichord). And what a sound they all had! I don't get to many concerts because I'm too busy playing them myself (and as a self-supporting musician, who has that kind of money?). I'm sorry you couldn't all be there.

GCO Concert Week

I'm in the throes of concert week for the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra. First rehearsal was last night and we worked on Gershwin's "Cuban Overture" and the 1812 Overture. Tonight will be a mixture of stuff for the children's concert tomorrow morning - Harry Potter, ET, Snow Maiden, and similar stuff. Then, after more rehearsals Friday night and Saturday morning, we do an outdoor Pops concert in the downtown Plaza (Gainesville, of course) which is free to the public.

The other big news is that we have decided to join cousin Jerry and his wife at the Scor! Adult Music Camp in Rochester, NY in July. A busman's holiday, to be sure, but it should be fun. I rarely get to play any chamber music just for fun anymore and I should get three good days of it. My wife and partner is also very excited since she doesn't have much chamber music in her cello background and this will fill a real need. More to come on this one.

Quiet Day

It's a very quiet Saturday (and Sunday as well). Very unusual to have a weekend off. We're spending it quietly. No weekend income means little to no weekend expense! We did go to Jeff's NY Deli in the late morning (a favorite place for breakfast) and then off to Morningside Farm, a city park with a large, working, 1870's farm. We all love it and the homemade biscuits on Saturdays are the best. The Jersey Cow asked about her friend, cousin Jerry, and we gave her the update. Speaking of cousin

Jerry, he has put me onto a great sounding summer camp for adults, including beginners and beginner wannabes. It's in Rochester, NY and is called Scor! Check it out. They also have advanced programs. The beginner stuff is new and unique as far as I am aware. Go to www.StringCamp.com.

Nice Rehearsal

The day started with a rehearsal in Ocala (a city south of Gainesville) at the Central Florida Community College. I'm adjunct faculty at CFCC, teaching cello and I get asked to play in small ensembles to support the college's musical activities. This rehearsal was for a choral concert and was kind of fun. It is always great to work with the young people and they are always so appreciative of what we instrumentalists do to help their endeavors. It doesn't bother them a bit that we get paid to do it! The other fun thing was learning about the composers. One of the pieces is a Credo by Giacomo Puccini. Except the it sounded very baroque. And then close examination showed his dates were mid to late 1700s. Turns out this was by the father of the operatic Giacomo Puccini! Surprise! Then there was a piece by Handl. Misspelling? Nope, this is Jacob Handl. This program is full of surprises. So then home again for two lessons. Then we got the babysitter and headed downtown where a good friend was having a tapestry weaving show, then off to Shabbat services at Temple Shir Shalom which was followed by an Oneg Shabbat (sumptuous repast to honor the Sabbath). All in all a good, full day.

Busier

Today has been busier than yesterday. Five lessons, all spread out. One of them was a group lesson taught by my wife and partner in the studio (Cello Power) and our performing group (Duo Cellissimo). The group is three little boys (only two today) and is a real kick. She does a great job with them and they love it. My last lesson is 8-9 (coming up) and he's a great guy. I love my job!!! Teaching is really amazing. There is hardly a lesson where I don't learn something new from my students or the process of finding different ways to explain the same thing until it is fully understood. Over the years, I have become a better cello player from teaching (not to downrate practice - also extremely important - duh!). I really think everyone should seek out opportunities to teach something to someone.

Luis & Clark Carbon Fiber Cellos

Here are some pics of our Luis & Clark Carbon Fiber Cellos. We've had them for4 years and continue to love them above all others. They have a full, rich sound with wonderful resonance and projection. No, I don't get a commission on these instruments - I just love them.

celloguy

Welcome to the blog. Today was a light day for me. Free morning, not so great lunch at La Fiesta here in Gainesville, FL which isn't up to "real" mexican food, and then some childcare with my 2 1/2 year old which included the Butterfly Rainforest - always great fun. Tonight my wife is teaching two lessons following her day at the University of Florida being a graduate student in American History. Tomorrow will be busier for me.