Bass Blog

Michael Hovnanian formerly played bass with an orchestra located in a large midwestern city.

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Saturday, December 01, 2007

Week 11

November 26 – December 2

This week’s program of the orchestra in which I play

RAVEL Piano Concerto in G Major
INTERMISSION
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 7 (Leningrad)
Semyon Bychkov, conductor
Yundi Li, piano

Monday
off

Tuesday
10-12:30 rehearsal

Wednesday
12-2:30 3:30-5:30 rehearsals

Thursday
10-12:30 rehearsal
8 concert

Friday
8 concert

Saturday
8 concert

Sunday
off

There is no way that standing atop a pyramid and looking out over an endless jungle one day, and the next, riding a bicycle into a chilly wind along Lake (…) to go rehearse Shostakovich 7 isn’t a letdown of sorts. Still, this week has had its enjoyable moments.

Although he looks like someone you wouldn’t want to meet in a darkened alley, Semyon Bychkov is a pretty personable conductor. There is a fair amount of grumbling over his (too quick) tempos, but I’m happy the piece doesn’t go on a second longer than it has to. I thought he made a pretty good case for what he is trying to do.

Thanks for the many supportive emails about the name change.

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