Weeks of Ravel and now off to Japan!
Well, these three weeks have been very exciting indeed, full of Ravel. First, we flew off to Annapolis, MD, for the opening concert there, titled "Ode to Freedom" with the wonderful Annapolis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Jose-Luis Novo, playing the Ravel Left Hand Concerto. From there, we flew directly back to Europe and off to Alsace for Ravel G Major Concerto a week later with yet another fabulous l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Mulhouse in their opening concert, "a l'Aventure", with my friend Maestro Jacques Lacombe. Apart for the two concerts being the opening season concerts, both orchestras surprised me by their quality of musicianship. And the conductors. Jose-Luis Novo has worked with Annapolis Symphony for more than 14 years and he has molded this orchestra in to top-quality orchestra. Jacques Lacombe, with whom I had the privilege to play already few times, is coming into Mulhouse now for his first season, and is already making a big impact with l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Mulhouse. What a great time I had in both cities, halfway around the globe apart from each other.
Then, l'aventure did not end there. I had planned to be back home for a week to prepare for my tour in Japan, and then on my last evening in Mulhouse, I receive a call for a last minute replacement concert in....South Korea...! To play the Ravel G Major. All the last minute plan needed to be made, making last minute change in travel plans, etc. I flew intwo Seoul Korea, almost right afterwards, landed barely just in time for the rehearsal! Very exciting experience. Playing my favorite concerto once again, this time with KBS Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Yoel Levi. Great times indeed. Now, off to packing for Japan! Looking forward to all the concerts there! The first one with NHK playing Saint-Saens 2!