While listening to John Banther recall some of his most noteworthy interviews with National Symphony Orchestra musicians over the past five years and 100 episodes of Classical Breakdown, I thought about my own experiences talking to NSO musicians. To be honest, I’m almost intimidated by their awe-inspiring artistry, their energy and dedication to their craft. Take NSO music director Gianandrea Noseda, for example. He’s charismatic, enthusiastic, curious, and connects easily with even humble radio jocks like me. How is it possible for one man to do so much? Besides conducting the National Symphony Orchestra, he's preparing 2 Wagner Ring Cycles at the Zurich Opera, not to mention gigs in London and Israel, and the upcoming NSO 9-city tour! His palpable joy in music-making is infectious. He shares his collection of fine instruments with deserving musicians, and he’s a wine connoisseur. A good example of his generous spirit is this anecdote: arriving in DC after a long flight, he got into the car, asked the driver to play WETA and promptly heard one of his own recordings on the air. For him, it was a warm welcome back to Washington, and we're glad we could provide it for him!
One of the best things about Classical Breakdown is how each featured instrumentalist gives us an up close and personal look at his or her instrument, and shares what it feels like to make music on it. Below are some of the many players John Banther interviewed on the podcast. I’ve also added some of my own recollections.
Principal flute Aaron Goldman demos two rarely used instruments: an alto flute which he says, “sounds like a nice warm bath” and the unwieldy bass flute.
I once asked Concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef what she thinks when a famous soloist plays on stage just a few feet from her. I was totally surprised by her answer! She says she worries that their strings will break, and that she'll have to give them her violin in mid-performance!
Principal bassoon Sue Heineman has a ball with the 2nd movement solo from Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade.
Principal oboe Nicholas Stovall delights us with the gorgeous solo from the opening of the second movement of Brahms’ Violin Concerto, and revels in the fact that during the two minutes of his solo, the violinist must stand by and just listen!
During the pandemic, principal viola Daniel Foster, his wife, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra principal flute Adria Sternstein Foster, and their very talented kids entertained their neighbors with a porch concert. They brought much needed joy during a very dark time. They even made the local news!
When John Banther interviewed him, Principal clarinetist Lin Ma was getting ready to play my favorite Mozart concerto at the Concert Hall. But in this episode, he played the iconic opening to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Principal bass Robert Oppelt is the star of episode 62 of Classical Breakdown. In this interview he plays the opening to Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony, a piece he was preparing to play under Michael Tilson Thomas...a memorable performance for all who attended. Bob is a devoted sailor and claims that playing the Frère Jacques solo in Mahler’s First Symphony in front of his orchestra colleagues is more terrifying than navigating the worst storm on the Bay!
In conclusion, I would say that no matter how intimidating all these talented folks might be, they love to share their music and their cherished instruments with us. It's their job to play their best, and ours to appreciate them. The more we learn about their craft, the more we attend their concerts, the more we can share in their joy. It is indeed a privilege to be associated with so much artistry, even as an enthusiastic listener!
But wait...here’s breaking news, as they say. Violinist Hilary Hahn who will be joining the NSO tour, has been awarded the 2024 Avery Fisher Prize for her outstanding artistic achievement and leadership in classical music. As she unwrapped the Tiffany box containing the trophy on Instagram, she said: “when we are working as musicians, when we work and work and work because we believe in the art ...and the connections between people...when you get an award you realize that someone noticed what you were doing and someone appreciates it. It’s top for an American musician in classical music...it’s like an encouragement to keep doing what you believe in and keep working hard at it. I’d do it anyway, but this is amazing.”
Be sure to join us in celebrating Episode 100 of Classical Breakdown. Here's to the next 100! Bravi tutti!
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