The orchestra and
I were to support the mezzo Katherine Jenkins and as there was no other vocal
support, we would need to provide some orchestral items during the performance
for her to have a little break and change dresses. Remembering my previous
visit, I thought I could challenge them with some well-loved popular pieces of
classical music and chose: Shostakovich Festive Overture, Bernstein Candide
Overture, Libertango, Traviata Prelude, Prelude to Carmen and Faust ballet
music. I had been provided with four three-hour rehearsals plus a general and
was asked whether I wanted more! I replied, absolutely not. It is easy to
over-rehearse; one must always leave something for the performance. However,
they decided to rehearse the orchestral items with a local conductor the day
before I arrived. I'm glad they did.
At my first rehearsal, a number of
musicians remembered me from my previous visit and I was not sure whether that
was a good thing or not. Did they remember me because I was inspiring, or
because I was rubbish? I have to say I could not remember any of them.......it
was 12 years previously and I had conducted many orchestras since!
However, we
started and by the break, my first impression was that I was pleased I had 4
rehearsals prior to Katherine joining us. Katherine's rep is technically not
challenging to play, but it has a style all of its own and the tuning is very
important. Sometimes, a song will start on a high note in the violins and it is
vital that is prepared carefully before the downbeat. At other times, the sound
created by arrangers such as David Foster, Stephen Baker and Patrick Hamilton
requires a delicacy of touch rather than a fortissimo of attack! So I devoted
two rehearsals to Katherine's rep and the other two to the six orchestral items,
all of which have their technical challenges.
With a great deal of hard work and
yes, humour, we broke down the compositions into their various sections, playing
them slowly and quietly before gradually picking up the pace and dynamic until we were at
tempo and could play them. I believe music should be taken very seriously, but that doesn't mean we
can't have fun and enjoy it! One of the comments often made to me is, how
much fun my rehearsals are. I believe laughter is good for the soul, just as I
believe music is good for the soul. So when you combine the two, well, you've reached nirvana!
The resultant concert in the Cultural Hall attracted a
standing ovation for Katherine and the musicians of the orchestra who had played
unbelievably well. Both Katherine and I received plaudits for the orchestra,
with lots saying they had never heard the orchestra play so well. This was as a
direct result of the star performer, who elevates everyone around her to give of
their best, and the hard work done by us at the rehearsals.
Well done RBSO. I
hope it is not another 11 years before I see you again!