The Unfettered Critic – by Paula Block Erdmann & Terry Erdmann
By the time you read this, a decision will have been made. It will not, however, be revealed until about the time you’re reading the next issue of the Review.
“Huh?” you may be asking yourself. “What decision?”
Why, the choice of the next Britt Orchestra Music Director, the coda to a competition that has besotted our minds for several months, with the final announcement slated to be our martini shot.
Mei-Ann Chen and Britt Classical musicians rehearsing in Jacksonville Elementary School gym
Nature almost sabotaged the contest. You may have noticed. As ninety-plus orchestra members blew into town, so did smoke from a nearly matching number of forest fires. At times the skies glowed the amber of lite beer—not a flavor we’ve enjoyed breathing. Health experts recommended staying indoors. The Britt is an outdoor venue. Entertainment’s most revered maxim decrees: “The show must go on.” With difficulty, and unexpected expense, the Britt’s show did. And what a show it’s been: three wildly talented candidates competing to lead Jacksonville’s own symphony orchestra, batons at the ready, with repertoires blazing.
First up, and most impacted by the smoky conditions—was Mei-Ann Chen, currently the Music Director for both the Memphis Symphony and the Chicago Sinfonietta. Chen could have become discouraged when she learned that she would not enjoy the beauty of Britt Hill, but instead she cheerfully pressed forward, rehearsing her charges within the less lustrous confines of Jacksonville Elementary’s gymnasium. Hastily arranged by Donna Briggs, Britt’s Executive Director, and Angela Warren, Director of Performing Arts, the gym wasn’t the most conducive acoustic locale for run-throughs. Yet the proof was in the pudding. Chen’s performances, night one at South Medford High
First Britt Classical performance moved to South Medford High School gym
School’s new gym, and night two on the almost smoke-free Britt stage (finally), were met with unbridled audience enthusiasm. Her highly animated conducting style—she seemed to use her whole body to get the message across to the orchestra—and her plucky spirit pleased listeners. However, rumors, like the ubiquitous smoke, drifted through town that key musicians were expressing concern about a lack of give and take between Chen and the orchestra.
By the time second candidate Teddy Abrams arrived on the scene, air conditions had improved. Unscheduled changes in venue no longer seemed a threat. Abrams brought a vibrant, energetic presence. The 26-year-old resident conductor of Budapest’s MAV Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of the Detroit Symphony quickly laid waste to any fears that he hadn’t yet developed the chops for the task at hand. Enthusiastic, eloquent, and sincere in pre-concert discussions—particularly about his passion for music education—Abrams displayed a sophisticated economy of movement on the podium that the orchestra openly relished. As he responded to extended standing ovations on the Hill, there was little doubt that the Britt’s conductor search committee had done its job.
Discussion among those “in the know,” suggests that the youthful Abrams represents the future of classical music. If so, David Danzmayr, Britt’s candidate #3, may well encompass its present, particularly when considered on a global scale. Raised in Austria, 33-year-old Danzmayr has served as guest conductor for the Scottish Opera Orchestra, the Salzburg Chamber Philharmonic, Iceland’s Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. He is just beginning to make his mark in the U.S., as Music Director of the Illinois Philharmonic and Columbus, OH’s ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. Danzmayr demonstrated an easy rapport with both the orchestra and the audience, and a wonderful humor in pre-concert talks. Smoke still wafted about the stage, but it couldn’t deter the musicians nor the audiences as the candidate showed his perceptive insights for the music and those it is meant to entertain.
Smoke-filled sky above Britt Hill before a classical performance
Who will win the coveted position of Maestro? We don’t know. Input from a variety of sources, the Britt board of directors, the conductor search committee, the musicians themselves (through a long questionnaire), and the audiences (with shorter questionnaires), all came into play. In our humble opinions, we feel that Abrams’ youthful vigor and commitment to music education may work wonders in lowering the median age of classical fest attendees—which, by the way, is sorely needed. Danzmayr, meanwhile, already a bit of a rockstar in Europe, certainly would boost the excitement level on the hill. That this man is a charmer could be seen in the eyes and smiles of the musicians and audiences alike.
As we said at the top, by the time you read this a decision will have been made. An announcement revealing which candidate rose to the top will be shouted about town on September 30. We’re ready to lift a stemmed glass to the winner. Whoever it is, one thing is certain: you’ll find us on the lawn next year, humming along!
Paula and Terry each have long impressive-sounding resumes implying that they are battle-scarred veterans of life within the Hollywood studios. They’re now happily relaxed into Jacksonville.
Photos: Bryan Nealy and Paula Erdmann
Posted September 3, 2013
Paula and Terry identify as writers, with an ever-increasing number of published works to support the supposition. They live a primarily pastoral life in the enchanted town of Jacksonville.