 An Introduction
The Orchestra
Meet the Musicians
Chamber Music Series
Board of Directors
Administration
Acclaim for St. Luke's
News from St. Luke's
Special Projects
|
|
How long have you played with St. Luke's?
My first concert with St. Luke's was the St. Matthew Passion at Carnegie Hall with Blanche Moyse (Founder of the New England Bach Festival) in April 1990. I sat with Maxine Neuman, and the experience of sitting with such a talented and dedicated cellist was very inspiring for me. I was mesmerized listening to Blanche Moyse coach us on the beauty of Bach. It seemed like Blanche was a descendant of Bach's. When she sang, everything made perfect sense. Every gesture she made, you knew exactly what she wanted in each phrase, and all the while the music was living and breathing and so much more powerful than I could have imagined.
I remember thinking that this might be the greatest musical experience I ever have, and I shouldn't forget it!
What is your most memorable experience from working with St. Luke's?
There are so many it cannot be whittled down to one. The above mentioned concert with Blanche Moyse was one the most memorable, as was each and every rehearsal and concert with the great Robert Shaw. Mr. Shaw had a deep respect and love for music, and that rubbed off on all of us both in St. Luke's and his choirs. He always called me Darla, no matter how often he was corrected. Maybe he saw me as one of the Little Rascals.......hmm!
Of course each concert with Donald Runnicles is memorable, as are all the Second Helpings concerts, which can be the most thrilling and frightening at the same time! Learning so many new pieces, wanting to make the composers happy, keeping your audience engaged.....and being able to perform each piece without being so nervous that you fall off your chair.....it's quite difficult!
Then there are the oddball concerts, like playing with Metallica at Madison Square Garden. St. Luke's violist Louise Schulman must have a deep appreciation of Metallica, since she was the only musician that didn't wear ear plugs throughout the concert, and she reminds me of this fact periodically! This concert worked because the music, although not classical, was great.
Sadly, another memorable experience was playing a memorial service down at Ground Zero for the families of those that perished in the World Trade Center. There was so much we all experienced down there, it's very personal for each musician, but none of us will ever forget that day. Nor do we ever take lightly the responsibilities that are given to us to comfort others with our music.
What piece(s) do you look forward to playing with St. Luke's?
With the orchestra, any Brahms Symphony, or his German Requiem. Bach's St. Matthew Passion and B minor Mass. With the chamber Ensemble, all the late Beethoven string quartets especially the Cavatina from his op. 130 quartet. Schoenberg's Verklaerte Nacht, which we happen to have coming up in February. The Schoenberg is a piece based on a poem about our failings, and ultimate redemption, as human beings. Schoenberg was masterful in portraying that, in his use of harmony. It goes through all the emotions we have as human beings and the journey comes to an end in a magical way. I studied this piece with Felix Galimir for an entire year, and I think of him every time I play it.
Who is your favorite composer?
This must be the most difficult question for musicians! Here's a few in no particular order. Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Mozart, Verdi, Bernstein, Handel.....I could keep going if you want!
Finish this sentence: "Something people may not know about me is..."
Something people may not know about me is that I play a mean recorder! When we had a hard time finding two recorder players for a Cantata in Context concert, I volunteered my services. Our wonderful production staff got a kick out of it, and afterwards made me a wicked poster announcing my 'debut' recital as Lucretia Blutheimer [Daire's stage name as a recorder player]. It sits in my computer room, framed...ready to be used for real. Just kidding!!!
BACK
|
The Chamber Ensemble