Mahler’s Tenth Symphony and more in Toronto!

I spent a week in Toronto as Guest Principal Viola of the Toronto Symphony in early April. And what a program it was – in addition to the excellent Joe Johnson, the orchestra’s Principal Cello, in R. Schumann’s Cello Concerto, we played Mahler’s Tenth Symphony. A serious piece for any viola section, what with its many, despairingly bleak statements made by the violas alone in the first movement, one of which opens the symphony, in strong contrast to the more luscious and positive rest of the movement. (Oh, and another fifty minutes of music after the first!)
It was a lot of work, but the creative energy in the group and the fine leadership of the conductor Thomas Dausgaard made for an unforgettable experience. The performances went great, especially the first of the two. I teared up during the performance, thinking how lucky I was to be there. I thought of Steven Dann, one of our time’s finest Principal Violists, and what an honor it was to be sitting in his former chair and that of his successor and current Principal, the excellent Teng Li. That was something to savor and be deeply grateful for.

Here in front of Roy Thompson Hall, home of the Toronto Symphony. Good thing I am better at viola than taking selfies!
Here in front of Roy Thompson Hall, home of the Toronto Symphony. Good thing I am better at viola than taking selfies!