chicago

it's no wonder they call chicago the "windy city" because it was windy, rainy and COLD! since most of the tour will be on the west coast, i didn't think to pack any warm clothes. most of my colleagues (or at least the ones i talked to) were definitely in the same boat. but it's a great city and it was so nice to finally play in their beautiful hall.

as i mentioned before, i met w/ my father's friend (actually his old grad school roommate) for dinner. he brought another couple and we ate at "rhapsody", the restaurant located inside the symphony center. apparently we had met some 20 years ago but of course, i was too young to remember. the place filled up quickly w/ concert-goers and several of my colleauges who were also meeting family and friends. the former concertmaster of the chicago symphony was also there (and at our concert).

we finished our dinner around 7 and since the concert wasn't until 8, i ran over to where burchard (violist) and efe (cellist) were meeting several friends who are members of the chicago symphony. one of them happens to be from my hometown of lexington, kentucky and recently got married to another old friend of mine. i had not seen nathan for about a year and a half and his wife akiko, for about 10 years. so it was great to hang out w/ them again.

from the first downbeat, it was clear the acoustics were great as everything sounded so different. our soloists in the mozart shined once again and the tchaikovsky felt even better. we received quite an ovation and played the smetana as an encore. it is always such a treat to play in such historic halls where so many great musicians once performed. paul arnold, one of our violinists who seems to know everything, mentioned how this was where heifetz and reiner recorded the brahms concerto and listed several other notable performances. i already look forward to playing here again someday.

my wife's uncle and aunt were also at the performance. they got seats behind the orchestra (equivalent to the conductor's cirlce seats at verizon hall) and absolutely loved them. they felt like maestro eschenbach was conducting them and that they were part of the performance. they can't wait for us to come back.

we're in omaha now and one of our cellists, derek barnes, learned of a steak place that is open late. i think word is getting around so you can guess where most of us will be after the concert.