HOW ABOUT THEM APPLES?
Let's face it, when one thinks of concerto repertoire, the piano or a stringed instrument gets all the love. It's unfair for the rest of the families of instruments who have to compete with this prejudice.
All the more impressive when guest artist Bill Caballero entered the stage armed with his French Horn. I knew this guy was good--his reputation as principle horn of the Pittsburgh Symphony preceded him. But when he made that collection of intricate plumbing inspire an audience to stand, you knew that something amazing just happened. The guy is a FREAK on the horn (I mean that as a supreme compliment), and it was a rare and wonderful opportunity to hear a master at work.
But something else magical happened that the audience was not privy to. Sometimes we can get wrapped up in the difficulties presented to us by the flood. From the orchestra's point of view it includes an unfamiliar schedule, one rehearsal less than usual, performance spaces that offer unique and unexpected challenges--even contending with the fickle availability of central heating. Just when these issues threaten to consume us, here comes Bill to blow his horn, and everything comes back into perspective. You see, he didn't just provide a great performance for us - When he played the first few notes of the concerto in rehearsal, the musicians ears perked up as they immediately knew that something special was going to happen. All the woes of our preoccupations evaporated as we were reminded that it's all about the music. If we keep that in mind, we're going to be OK.
Thanks Bill!