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Exhausted, yet content... |
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Written by Andrew Sords
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May 20, 2008 at 01:25 PM |
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Wow, I don't know where to begin. Life has been going about a million miles an hour, and only after this weekend does it begin to slow down. Last week, I was in the tropical paradise known as the Cayman Islands, performing chamber music and doing masterclasses. Words can't describe the bucolic scenery, translucent ocean water, and succulent native food. The Islanders (generally of British or Dutch descent) were very hospitable and eager to have us there, as it seems like the arts are a semi-rare occasion there. I hope to return in the upcoming season, and perhaps see more of the island. We remained mostly on the south and west ends (Seven Mile Beach, I believe). Anyways, the performances generally went well, though there were about 5 in four days. Now I am back in Cleveland preparing for a benefit recital on Sunday, with works of Schubert, Mozart, Fein, Chopin, and Brahms. This summer, I will be serving as guest concertmaster for a nearby orchestra, as well as going to Taos, Dallas, and northern Ontario in July. Most of all, I'm looking forward to poolside recreation, finishing my book list (just finished Titus Andronicus), and picking a summer musical project (perhaps the Elgar or Joachim concerti).
The past few days saw me connecting with some Cleveland/CIM friends. This is a rare privilege, as I am usually gone when they are in town. The staff at the Winking Lizard, City and East, Yours Truly and others have come to see us on a fairly regular basis. Tonight, I'm tuning in to watch the American Idol finale (a guilty pleasure of mine), and figuring this Schubert out. Schubert is one who I always want to tackle, and then regret it later as his music is so difficult (at least for me) to have a convincing phrase structure. In addition, he (like Tchaikovsky) is sometimes long-winded in his ideas, and sustaining even my attention for the duration takes work.
While tooling around Cleveland, I have been studying Julia Fischer's Brahms concerto and double concerto album. Is there a recent violin recording of these works that is this lucid, commanding and intelligent? Congratulations, Julia - I cannot wait for your Blossom debut here in July!
Next season's schedule is almost completely up--just waiting on a couple of repertoire and contractual ideas to be concluded. Check out the calendar portion (http://www.andrewsords.com/component/option,com_events/) of the site for more details. Next season's concertos are all blockbuster standards (Brahms, Bruch, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart 4), with some recitals thrown in (I'm thinking works of Grieg, Nielsen, Beethoven, and of course, continuing the Brahms cycle). Additionally, I'm hoping an orchestra will ask for the Beethoven "Triple" Concerto (any takers?) :)
I hope everyone is having a fabulous month of May, and that you are all looking out for the summer schedule of an orchestra near you! Look out for performances of Julia, Stefan Jackiw, Andrew von Oeyen (a piano phenom I met in Reno), and, of course, The Cleveland Orchestra. :)
Happy Almost Summer,
A |
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Last Updated ( May 21, 2008 at 08:42 AM )
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With May Right Around the Corner.... |
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Written by Andrew Sords
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Apr 28, 2008 at 12:30 PM |
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Greetings all! The last 6 weeks have been very productive - planning next season, quite a bit of traveling, and chamber music galore. I am back in Dallas for the final week of the year, and just arrived from Ohio. Last week, I played a children's concert for several fifth-grade classes in Northeast Ohio - I was amazing at how many questions they had, and their high level of enthusiasm! I think many were shocked when I admitted to having Rihanna and Christina Aguilera on my ipod as well...
Also last week, Anita and I played the Brahms Sonata cycle at Kent State (about ten days after I did the cycle in Dallas), following a fun (at some points hilarious) televised interview beforehand. We concluded the concert with two Hungarian Dances as encores, and I am looking forward to playing there in the near future (perhaps a showpieces concert...)
The rest of the week was filled with people-seeing, getting caught up on practicing (for the two recitals I took part in here in Texas), and hitting up my favorite spots around town. It's always nice to return to the same jaunts with fun people (including seeing the Cavs girls at one nightclub), and the ultra-friendly staff of various places on Coventry. When I return to Cleveland next week, I'm sure the usual gang will be at various west side venues ... looking forward!
Having grown up in Cleveland, all of this warm weather and bright sun in the South is intoxicating. It is hard trying to remain focused on work when outside, the weather couldn't possibly be nicer (or more suited to poolside recreation). In 2 weeks, I am going to the Cayman Islands for a week of chamber music, and I honestly haven't a clue as to how much practicing or rehearsing will get done. Then, immediately after that, my friend (and cohort in crime) Evan Fein and I are doing a private benefit recital for EMC Artists in Cleveland, Ohio. The program looks like it will include works by Schubert, Beethoven, Fein, Chopin, and Brahms...those in Cleveland for Memorial Day weekend...let me know and perhaps you could make it to this event! More to come in the near future, including next season's performances (with Brahms concerto and sonatas, Tchaikovsky, Bruch, Mozart, and others), highlights from the Cayman Islands (including links and pictures), and more regularly updated blogs! Yours from the tanning pool, ANDREW |
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Last Updated ( May 20, 2008 at 01:28 PM )
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As the Classical World Turns... |
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Written by Andrew Sords
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Mar 13, 2008 at 05:39 PM |
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Hello, all! I apologize that I have been so remiss about blogging frequently, but I promise to get better! Life has been a bit hectic, but now that it is consistently 80 degrees outside, I just may find some more time to relax (and help makeover my site!)
It is ironic that I am welcoming the spring here in Dallas with open arms, when up north they were just obliterated by snow last week. Thankfully, we in the South only had a minor dip in temperatures and continued on our merry way! However, I am traveling to Cleveland next week, and am praying that the inclement weather is behind us.
Where do I begin? Last week I was in Austin for a performance of Mozart's 5th violin concerto with Robert Radmer conducting. It was a great experience - the drive there was leisurely, the hotel suite was uncommonly attractive, and Mr. Radmer was very sensitive and inspiring to work with. I played an encore (d minor Sarabande by Bach), and was able to meet some friends post-concert, some of whom I haven't seen in over five years! Austin-ites seem extraordinarily friendly, and they have a very active music scene. I can't wait to return--especially to that outdoor Jacuzzi!
I have the good fortune to collaborate with several singers this spring - let me tell you, this is an education in and of itself. As an instrumentalist, you try and emulate the human voice more than anything, and to rehearse with a very accomplished singer - it makes me reconsider tone production, sound decay, matching vibratos, and glissandi (sliding from one note to another). So, a big thank you to these wonderful singers who asked me to collaborate - I get quite a bit out of it too!
Recently, I have found myself becoming far more domestic and business-oriented than usual. Clearly, the most obvious side of this industry are the live performances, but there is quite a bit that goes on behind the scenes. For instance: a recent day found me waking up quite early (rather, early by my standards) for a rehearsal with piano after looking at a couple spots in the Stravinsky concerto; continuing on to about two hours of emails in straightening out next season; combine this with extreme allergies and a bad case of the flu; heading off to an outdoor photo shoot looking like Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer (or just death warmed over); a photo editing session; a lengthy conference call concerning press for an upcoming concert; discussions about website modifications and traffic (well into six figures now - thank you everybody!); and then the end of the day rolls around and I realize that I have hardly touched the violin at all! How nice it would be to never concern yourself with anything other than practicing/performing. Not to mention keeping an apartment organized and liveable - oh well. Back to reality...
The near future sees a bit of traveling - the next trip being to Cleveland's Fashion week shows next weekend. I'm also relearning the Brahms sonata cycle for a couple of performances. I never completely appreciated the second sonata (A major) before, but now have grown to love it. The G major is so intimate, while the d minor is brooding, lonely, and hormonal, while retaining a concise structure. Wait - am I blogging or writing program notes?! My next blog will probably be my program notes for the Brahms cycle - otherwise I will never complete them on time! Looking forward to each performance this spring...as well as the trip to the Cayman Islands in mid-May (moved from March). The other musicians are so talented and the chance to do some outreach there will no doubt be quite rewarding.
I hope everyone is having a productive and healthy March, and that you're all able to pick up some rays outside! I wanted to recommend 3 recordings that I think are the top 2008 classical releases so far: Julia Fischer's Mozart "Sinfonia Concertante"; Chee-Yun's Beethoven Triple (with Andres Diaz and Barry Douglas); and Evgeny Kissin's Schubert album. This three disks epitomize class, intelligent and moving interpretations, and utterly magical moments. Enjoy!
Yours from Dallas,
Andrew
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Last Updated ( Mar 13, 2008 at 05:40 PM )
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Performances, Primaries, and Paris's - Life in 2008... |
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Written by Andrew Sords
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Feb 02, 2008 at 06:28 PM |
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Where do I begin? Just when I didn't think 2007 could have provided more change for me, 2008 rolls in with gusto and fanfare. As Hillary Rodham Clinton states on every campaign stop, "Change is good, and change is necessary." Truer words have never been spoken. Unfortunately, I can't get into all the details, but suffice it to say that this year looks like it will bigger and better than ever! There is a lot of upcoming craziness...I'm playing ninety minutes of "romantic music" on, you guessed it, Valentine's Day; we have a recording session here in Dallas for a symphony premiere we did last fall (commencing at 9am on a Saturday, no less); I am playing these fascinating poems by Langston Hughes arranged for soprano and violin for Black History Month; and then I begin next month in Austin, Texas playing Mozart. The project that I am tremendously excited for is my live broadcast recital of the Brahms Sonata cycle with pianist Anita Pontremoli. The "Brahms project" is one I have been meaning to undertake for awhile now, and I couldn't imagine pulling it off without the sensational Anita at my side. So, come to Kent State University for our children's concert and TV broadcast concert in April to check it out and meet us afterwards! This is some of the future craziness...December 2007 provided some much needed downtime. Fortunately, I was able to see a number of Cleveland friends and family, and even assisted my dad at his job.MMy dad works at a company that sells <a href="http://www.globaltowne.com">Tankless Water Heaters</a>. These water heaters are designed to save money on utility usage and they take up less space and last longer than regular tank water heaters. They come in gas, propane and electric models...it's actually kind of interesting, and they sell like hotcakes. In addition, I have helped to spearhead the beginning of EMC Artists, Ltd., which I am very excited about. My career will be heading in a new direction with some very exciting projects coming up!!! I am excited to further these changes, and this management (along with new representation from a Cleveland-based law firm) will provide a solid support system. My website will have new information and updates coming soon (as well as much-needed audio links!), so, stay tuned...and, I promise to blog more often! If you were waiting for salacious stories from travels (apart from Paris Hilton's premiere party down the street)...well, I haven't been traveling that much recently but I look forward to some sure-to-be memorable concerts and trips in the next 6 months! Yours from a drastically warmer environment, Andrew |
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Last Updated ( Jun 17, 2008 at 08:12 AM )
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Greetings from the Tundra! |
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Written by Andrew Sords
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Dec 17, 2007 at 11:00 AM |
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Hello all! I hope everyone has had a wonderful Autumn, and that their December weather has not been too harsh. I am in Cleveland at the moment, and yesterday was essentially a white blanket outside. Unbelievable. Hopefully, Christmas will be as picture-perfect as today... As usual, life has been busy. I'm getting ready for spring and summer performances, and that includes practicing Mozart A major again (it's been a LONG time since I have played this concerto), Beethoven, Ysaye, the Brahms sonata cycle, Bach, and Dvorak. However, since this is my vacation time, I am treating my workload with a fairly relaxed attitude! I'm also trying to think of fun and adventurous programs for next year. Any ideas, anyone? Last Thursday, I saw the brilliant Broadway star, Linda Eder, perform at the Palace Theater in Cleveland. Now, I may be biased as I sat in the second row, but she was superb in every sense. Her projection, presence, and flair for the Broadway hits and carols both had the audience on its feet on more than one occasion, especially her eleven-o'clock numbers from "Man of La Mancha" and "Jekyll and Hyde". Everyone should check out her tour schedule at www.lindaeder.com, and if you can make it, it will absolutely make for a memorable evening out. Today (December 17th) is Beethoven's birthday: he is 238 today. I doubt that I will do anything especially special today, but it's nice to keep in mind. This post is hardly incendiary or provocative: it's more of a still-alive-and-doing-a-normal-routine blog, but I promise the next one will be more juicy! :) Oh, food for thought: should there be a "People Magazine" of sorts for classical music? I believe it would be far more sordid and enjoyable to read than the ones featuring Britney and Lindsay.... Happy Holidays! ~Andrew |
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Last Updated ( Jun 17, 2008 at 08:10 AM )
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