Conducting the Gewandhaus Orchestra
17 July, 2011
I was really looking forward to working with the prestigious Gewandhaus Orchestra. I guess the Orchestra is not used to doing all-American programmes with a jazzy twist to them. This was the orchestra's last concert of the season and I think the musicians were ready to let their hair down. Despite the fact that it was challenging for them since the jazz aspects of the music is perhaps not so much in their idiom they really did a fantastic job. Once Kim Criswell came to the first rehearsal it all came together and we were ready for the concert. Gosh! How amazing to see the Gewandhaus Hall packed - it was a sold-out concert - the atmosphere was electrifying and I could feel that the audience wanted to have a good time. It was a Broadway Concert and Kim delighted the audience with her little anecdotes and brilliant voice. It was great and we all enjoyed it so very much. For me this concert was even more special since my mother was also in the audience. The concert finished quite late and we could not find anywhere to go to eat. We would have liked to take a bite but at least we managed to have a beer at a bar nearby the hall. What a great week!