Here and Back again....

We find ourselves back in Cleveland again.

Amazing how you see all of these entries over the past couple of weeks, and then all of a sudden I’m back in Ohio, and then nobody knows where I am any more….

This is the sad state of affairs of an internet-less individual.

I am back to trekking down to campus for email and internet use, although from now on I may find myself composing these entries on my computer before I come down to school, so I don’t have to find myself spending a lot of time sitting in the car at a parking meter, while other students wander past looking in the windows trying to figure out what I’m doing.

As for my time spent here in Cleveland thus far, I am playing with the Toledo Symphony this week, and three of us violist have been driving out there every day since Tuesday. Thankfully the concerts start this evening, and tomorrow is the last trip we have to make.
Four hours of driving for only a few hours of rehearsal. Although on Tuesday and Wednesday we had double rehearsals, which was way too much Mahler for one day.

Mahler 9 is a cool work, but we all agree that this symphony is probably 45 minutes too long. A symphony that’s 90 minutes long is trying for everyone’s patience, but at least the musicians are engaged with something to do. The poor audience that must sit there and endure the work. My feelings go out to them.

In any event, I had a great vacation at home in Minnesota with my family. I would really like to get home more often, but at least I know I have to do my best to get home in May for my sister’s graduation.

As for now, next week begins classes again. The last leg in a six-year journey is about to begin. Hopefully it ends bearing great fruit.

T.

P.S. The photo is actually the peristyle where I'm playing tonight. It was designed by the same acousticians who designed the new concert hall at CIM which is currently under construction. Cool, huh?