Q This is the second consecutive year you’ve played with the Minnesota Sinfonia. You must enjoy working with them.

A I do. I identify with their mission of bringing symphonic music to audiences that wouldn’t normally come to a concert hall, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere of their concerts, the informality of them, as well as the programming. Though I’m not a huge fan of free concerts …

Q Why?

A I’ve had experiences where you give things away and it brings out the worst in people. But beyond that, I think that what musicians do has value. This is the way we make our living, and people should recognize that and be willing to pay something, even if it’s just the price of a cinema ticket. But I have to say that the Sinfonia handles everything really beautifully. When free concerts are done right, they work.

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