Hello from Utah!
The view from our lodge as storm clouds roll over the mountains in the distance...if you look closely you can see a lightning streak right above the sun
As I write, the rain is pouring against the windows of our lodge. The sun is still out, setting over the mountains as storm clouds pass over quickly, echoing with thunder. By the time I finish this sentence, it will have already passed. Rain doesn't last long in Utah.
We have been here in Park City for four amazing days. There are rare moments where a young quartet has the opportunity to be together and rehearse for as many hours in the day as they wish. The days in NYC are usually packed with running from one commitment to the other and fitting in as many rehearsals as possible. Stress, heat, mass transit, crowds, I could go on and on. Here we find ourselves in a beautiful, quiet haven. A place where we can focus and play; what we could only dream would be possible for ourselves back home. Also, home doesn't come with a private hot tub. What?!
We have had two inspiring coachings with members of the Muir Quartet and will continue to work with them for the next 2 and a half weeks. Next week Joan Tower comes with her two protégés and we will begin to workshop the piece written for us entitled, "Thyme" by Antonin Fajt. At the end of the program there will be two public performances in which we will play the Brahms String Quartet #3, the Stravinsky Three Pieces for String Quartet, and "Thyme" by Fajt.
We can already tell the next three weeks will speed by, but what we will get from being here will stay with us forever.
That will be it for now....we will have much more to report soon!
Amanda Gookin, cellist