Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Nutcracker Suite From The Pit

The Richmond Ballet's Nutcracker is opening this Friday and the Richmond Symphony provides live orchestral music for the production.  For any symphony musician, it seems playing the Nutcracker Suite is par for the course.  Here is one perspective about playing the Nutcracker Suite every year during the holiday season from clarinetist Jared Davis:

Playing The Nutcracker every year is bittersweet because it is very rewarding, yet challenging to play at the same time.  Tchaikovsky was a master orchestrator, meaning he knew how to use the instruments of the orchestra in various combinations to achieve a sound that is rich, colorful, and unmistakable.  Another way to explain it, is that it just feels good to play.  Also, he could write a melody that sticks in one's mind forever.  Everyone I know can whistle or sing a tune from The Nutcracker!  It is rewarding, yet challenging in the sense that there are moments in the music that are very demanding of the musicians.  No matter how times I've played it, I always have to practice certain parts leading up to the performances.

As rewarding as it is to play, the phrase "too much of a good thing" applies here just a bit, as we perform the piece at least 12 times every December.  During my tenure in the RSO, I've performed it about 72-80 times!  Every year after about the 5th show, I find myself looking for ways to make the next seven shows more exciting.  I suppose it would help if I could actually see what happens on stage.  My position in the orchestra pit is underneath the lip of the stage where seeing any part of the production is impossible.  I've yet to see the actual production in all my time here in Richmond!  But, I hear it is fabulous!

All in all, it is a wonderful experience.  The music is satisfying, the dancers and ballet staff are very easy to work with, and there is great support from the Richmond community.  Large audiences fill the Carpenter Theater year after year.  This collaboration with the Ballet is great exposure for the Symphony, and I'm happy to be a part of it.

Friday, December 3, 2010

6 Reasons to See Let It Snow!

6 - It'll get you into the holiday spirit!

5 - There's a chance it might actually snow a little for the concert.

4 - Two awesome groups will be singing and performing outside prior to the concert: the VCU Notochords on Saturday night and TubaChristmas on Sunday afternoon. The VCU Notochords is Virginia Commonwealth University's premiere co-ed a cappella group. TubaChristmas is an all-volunteer ensemble featuring tuba, euphonium, baritone, and other similar low press that performs popular holiday songs - definitely Christmas like you've never heard it before!

3 - You get your own jingle bell to ring during the songs and take home after the concert!

Over 1600 bells were made this week for all of the children coming to Let It Snow!
Here are just a few of the bells that have been made!

2 - You'll get to sing Christmas carols with the Richmond Symphony Chorus and 1500 of your closest friends!

1 - Santa's coming...(why would you want to miss Santa?!)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Top Ten Reasons to Perform Handel’s Messiah Every Year

Every year, the members of the Richmond Symphony Chorus pull out their score to Messiah. These scores are orange, 257 pages long, well worn, and covered with hundreds, if not thousands, of pencil marks. You would think that after so many years of performing Handel’s masterpiece that we would tire of singing the same old notes over and over again. But, alas, we don’t. In fact, it is one of our favorite times of the year. Because we know the piece so well, we get to discover things we’ve never heard before, we get to try new ways of interpreting the work, and we get to revel in the fact that we are an important part of musical history. Below is something I put together for the chorus a few years ago – something to remind them why we do continue this beloved tradition.

-- Erin

Top Ten Reasons to Perform Handel’s Messiah Every Year

10) We have an historic responsibility to do so – to continue the annual performance tradition that began in 1742. That’s 268 consecutive years! That’s even better than Cats!

9) To fulfill the musical and dramatic expectations set-up in the first four movements (The Overture, “Comfort Ye”, “Ev’ry Valley Shall be Exalted”, and “And the Glory of the Lord”). (Come listen to the performance and you’ll see what I mean…These four movements set the stage for the drama that is to come!)

8) This work contains a great variety of musical colors – from melismas (super fast runs) to majestic chords, from renaissance timbres to dramatic, opera-inspired moments. Really – what more could you want?

7) For the message – whatever you interpret that to be.

6) We can. ‘Nuff said.

5) It brings to mind treasured (and often hilarious) memories of previous performances and rehearsals. (Mine? The way the chorus learns those wicked runs in “All We Like Sheep.” Think “Baroque Samba.”)

4) You can do it differently every year – so it’s always new.

3) While it’s as familiar as a favorite sweater, it’s always a challenge, and there’s always something new to find.

2) It’s a physical workout. No need to go to the gym that day. Seriously! If you’re not sweating by the time you get to the Hallelujah Chorus, there’s something wrong!

1) Your favorite place – that moment or movement you can’t wait to sing, and you mourn a bit when it has passed. (Mine? The first measure, because the rest is still to come!)