We have been handed a lot of music for this week’s event. Because my main gig was English horn for 27 years, I’ve not played but one of these works. Yes. Really! So much music in the folder …
P. Tchaikovsky
Concerto #1
Concerto #2
S. Rachmaninoff
Concerto #1
Concerto #2
Concerto #3
S. Prokofiev
Concerto #1
Concerto #3
Sometimes I look at a folder and don’t even know quite where to begin.
And no, we won’t be playing all of these. After the finalists are selected, we will learn which three (?) works will be performed. But of course that won’t be until right before our first rehearsal, or so I’ve been told.
I realize that most readers will think I’m crazy to not know these works already, and I know most of you already know ’em and have played ’em. What can I say? I’ve lived 51 years without playing 6 of these. Wouldn’t ya know? I’ve heard them, but that just isn’t the same.
So how do I prepare? Well, I will listen to the works, to be sure, to see which portions need to be worked on first. And I will go through and mark absolutely anything that looks “missable” (left Fs, various places I might miss a flat or sharp, things like that). I’ll try to have everything as put together as possible. Then I’ll hold my breath and run with it.
Or I guess I won’t hold my breath, but you know what I mean. Yes?
