I hope that you enjoyed the Skype interview with composer Chris Rogerson yesterday. It is always a treat to collaborate with a composer so that they can provide direct feedback about our performance. I also hope you realize that things are not as set in stone as they sometimes seem. There are so many variables in any given performance of any given work. By this point in my career I have collaborated with many composers. I have since found that the music making process is much more fluid than I previously thought. I think that is a comforting notion for the performer.
Tomorrow we will brush up on the first two movements of Tchaikovsky, then record the entire program in order. My hope is that we gain perspective on what we actually produce. Recording is almost always a really helpful step. From my own experience, I often am surprised by it. I have thought things like, “Wow, I had no idea the brass are covering that melody” or, “I didn’t realize how sloppy that comes across” or, “I could swear I was playing that on time, but it really sounds behind.”
We may listen to portions on Friday, or I may decide that we need time in sectional to clean up specific areas of technical deficiency. I would prefer to do the latter, but want to ensure that everyone hears the recording. It can be the most significant catalyst to practice what really needs improvement. Perhaps after tomorrow’s rehearsal we can discuss our options.
uosymphony 