The SFSYO made its way safely across the pond courtesy of Lufthansa and the steady hands of Captain Klaus-Dieter and arrived in the Bavarian capital of Munich. For two weeks, our 100+ cultural ambassadors will tour Germany, Luxembourg, and Austria and perform in some of Europe's most acclaimed venues and music festivals. Away we go:
Wheels are definitely a good thing. Hey, save me a seat....or three. Four tops !
A little tired but happy to make Munich their home for the next five days.
With barely time to unpack, everyone knows the best cure for jet-lag is a double rehearsal! So the first full day in Germany brings the Orchestra to the Munich Philharmonie am Gasteig, one of Germany's top concert halls.
The Orchestra arrives at the Philharmonie to test the acoustics and prepare their programs for the tour. Playing in six different venues, each with very different acoustics, is one of the great challenges for any orchestra on tour. After playing the entire season in the wonderful acoustics of Davies Symphony Hall, it takes a great deal of sensitivity and flexibility to adjust to a new venue, hearing yourself differently, perhaps not hearing other sections as well, and adjusting to how the sound carries to the audience. Music Director Donato Cabrera masterfully guides the young musicians through the unique environment of this hall. Its acoustics are fine, but different.
Mahler's Symphony No. 1 gets a workout, as does Donato and the Orchestra. Jet-lag? What jet-lag?
Soloist for performances of Grieg's Piano Concerto on this tour is accomplished German pianist Lars Vogt.
Lars and the Orchestra quickly hit it off. This will be good.
The Grieg Piano Concerto opens up with a stirring timpani solo, courtesy of Benjamin Ring. Benjamin is one of our embedded Tour Blog reporters and you'll hear from him and a few others on this tour. Stay tuned! Bonus fact: Benjamin's dad also happens to be part of the Symphny family, SF Symphony horn player Jonathan Ring.
Tomorrow is our first concert. It's in Regensburg, a few hours north of Munich. Until then.
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