One of the most difficult challenges were the audiences in China. At home we are used to quiet audiences, yet at all but two of the Chinese venues the audiences would talk, move about, and answer their ringing cell phones so much so that it was sometimes difficult to even hear the orchestra!
This, combined with the extreme heat at some of the venues, simply forced us to concentrate that much harder. While it was disheartening at first, it was a lesson in cultural difference that allowed us to reflect on what our music means to us and what it might mean for a new audience thousands of miles from home. In the “small” (6 million inhabitants!) city of Xi’an, for example, it may likely have been the first classical concert for much of the audience, including our local tour guide! The audience noise during the extremely quiet and subtle opening to the second movement of the Tchaikovksy was so loud that Dr. D was visibly shaken and considered starting over. Yet the concentration required to overcome the distraction translated into Cala O’Conner’s most marvelous rendition of the horn solo in that movement. The audience soon quieted and their applause at the end of the movement demonstrated that we had reached some sort of common understanding.Perhaps the clearest example of musical growth came in Appalachian Spring, the first performance of which was not our strongest (perhaps we were all still a bit jet-lagged!).
We were frustrated because we knew we could do better and with each performance we improved. Before our second to last performance in Beijing, Barbara Butler shared a story with us about the importance of focusing on the overall musical experience rather than each individual note. That night we played Appalachian Spring better than we ever had. It was clearly a turning point for the orchestra. By our last concert in the Seoul Arts Center, a hall to rival Symphony Center, we felt we had reached a level of musicianship worthy of the hall. Indeed, there was a palpable sense of excitement that night during our finest performance of the Tchaikovsky.
All in all, the tour was an extremely successful musical experience. Any chance to play the same great repertoire on multiple occasions, however challenging the environment may be, can only lead to deeper appreciation of the music and sense of ensemble for the orchestra. We know the members of the orchestra will never forget the tour, in large part because of the wonderful musical growth and experiences that came from it.
Peter K., Bassoon
Robert B., Violin
