Listener Forum - In Derry

In Derry

Monday, April 28, 2008, 04:28 PM
Posted by Administrator

Well, not only are we in Ireland, we've gotten as far as Derry, NI.

We flew to Dublin over Saturday night, arriving around 6:30 AM Dublin time. The bus we had so carefully reserved was nowhere in sight, but the public bus driver was nice enough to take us directly to the hotel.

Since it was Sunday morning and the hotel was fully booked, we weren't able to check in right away. Some of us took some time to get our Dublin bearings, some of us slept in the lobby, some of us dealt with production issues, etc. We also, thanks to an ear infection, had the chance to experience the Irish health care system! Everyone is fine, and it was interesting to witness that up close.

Dublin's beautiful and it was great to have some time off there, especially following the Morgan Library concert, which was Friday night, and so beautiful. The hall at the Morgan is great for chamber music - you can hear and see everything without it being too live. This was my third time hearing the "Messenger" concerto, and it was the best performance so far - energetic, committed and tight.

There was an exciting moment in the Harbison when the players stopped one by one as they realized that Richard had broken a string. While he was offstage replacing it, Warren took advantage of the opportunity to tell a story about the only time he had ever broken strings...on the piano, apparently, when he was eight years old and his practicing wasn't going as he hoped.

That intensity is still with Warren, and his Brahms on Friday night was especially poignant and gorgeous. Following the concert, the Consul General of Ireland, Niall Burgess, held a reception for musicians and their guests at his incredible apartment with views of New York on three sides of a breathtaking terrace. Am doing my best to post some pictures of all these events!

So, we're in Derry. Today's bus ride was beautiful, all the scenery we expected from Ireland, and even more green than I could have imagined. The Guildhall concert is tomorrow night, I'll be back after that, if not before.