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Sometimes even classical musicians get sick. Perhaps a substitute soloist can be found — in Kansas City or East Overshoe. But when a chamber music ensemble is to play a new work and a performer drops out it's not so easy. Illness would be understandable, but that wasn't TCCA's challenge in planning the 2010 annual Petite Panache concert.
Let me explain.
In 2002 TCCA commissioned a work from local composer Mark Vance for Russian violinist Larissa Shahmatova and the piano-four-hands duo of Aileen James and Ken Hardin. It was so successful, they commissioned a companion piece for the 2009 season.
It was not to be. Shahmatova lost her violin.
Well, not “lost” exactly, since like many top-flight violinists Shahmatova didn't actually own the rare violin. It was on loan from its owner, who unexpectedly needed to sell it. With no violin, and violins suitable for a great violinist in short supply, Shahmatova had to withdraw.
So the hunt was on for a replacement.
There was a perfect solution: Violinist Robert Cani, TCCA favorite, was scheduled to perform as part of the 2010 season. He would learn the piece, and all would be well.
But not so fast.
Cani also borrows his violin – from a Foundation in Italy. No, they didn't sell it, but as a condition of the loan once a year Cani plays a concert for the Foundation.
You guessed it. The concert was scheduled on the same day as the TCCA concert. So no Cani.
Sought-after Northern California violinist Michelle You, one-time concert-master of TCCA's Orchestre Panache, would surely love the opportunity. Third time lucky? Not a chance. You's calendar was full, including preparing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto for the Auburn Symphony.
Should TCCA cancel the performance? Reschedule the concert? Could Vance rewrite the piece for bassoon?
Just when all seemed lost, a white knight rode into town: Violinist and film composer Richard Altenbach. Recent transplant to Nevada County, Altenbach, first violin with the acclaimed LA Chamber Orchestra and with performances in over 1000 film scores to his credit (and recently heard in Sierra Stages' “She Loves Me”), was willing to learn the piece for the Sunday premiere. Problem solved.
But not quite.
Altenbach was committed in LA until just before Christmas; Hardin would be in Mexico the first week of January; Altenbach would be recording the second week of January.
Would there be time to rehearse?
Never underestimate professional musicians. You bet the trio made time. And never underestimate TCCA's ability to solve a problem every musical organization dreads: The withdrawal of a performer.
And for Mark Vance? His work, “In Uncertain Times,” a reflection on the past decade, had taken on new
meaning. “Uncertain times” indeed when you can't find a performer.
Violinist Richard Altenbach in full flight
Richard Altenbach with piano-four-hands duo Aileen James and Ken Hardin will premiere “In Uncertain Times”
in TCCA's Petite Panache concert at 2 p.m., Sunday, in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Charles Atthill lives in Alta Sierra. His debut as an opera singer was canceled when an epidemic threatened the cast. The production was never rescheduled.
Let me explain.
In 2002 TCCA commissioned a work from local composer Mark Vance for Russian violinist Larissa Shahmatova and the piano-four-hands duo of Aileen James and Ken Hardin. It was so successful, they commissioned a companion piece for the 2009 season.
It was not to be. Shahmatova lost her violin.
Well, not “lost” exactly, since like many top-flight violinists Shahmatova didn't actually own the rare violin. It was on loan from its owner, who unexpectedly needed to sell it. With no violin, and violins suitable for a great violinist in short supply, Shahmatova had to withdraw.
So the hunt was on for a replacement.
There was a perfect solution: Violinist Robert Cani, TCCA favorite, was scheduled to perform as part of the 2010 season. He would learn the piece, and all would be well.
But not so fast.
Cani also borrows his violin – from a Foundation in Italy. No, they didn't sell it, but as a condition of the loan once a year Cani plays a concert for the Foundation.
You guessed it. The concert was scheduled on the same day as the TCCA concert. So no Cani.
Sought-after Northern California violinist Michelle You, one-time concert-master of TCCA's Orchestre Panache, would surely love the opportunity. Third time lucky? Not a chance. You's calendar was full, including preparing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto for the Auburn Symphony.
Should TCCA cancel the performance? Reschedule the concert? Could Vance rewrite the piece for bassoon?
Just when all seemed lost, a white knight rode into town: Violinist and film composer Richard Altenbach. Recent transplant to Nevada County, Altenbach, first violin with the acclaimed LA Chamber Orchestra and with performances in over 1000 film scores to his credit (and recently heard in Sierra Stages' “She Loves Me”), was willing to learn the piece for the Sunday premiere. Problem solved.
But not quite.
Altenbach was committed in LA until just before Christmas; Hardin would be in Mexico the first week of January; Altenbach would be recording the second week of January.
Would there be time to rehearse?
Never underestimate professional musicians. You bet the trio made time. And never underestimate TCCA's ability to solve a problem every musical organization dreads: The withdrawal of a performer.
And for Mark Vance? His work, “In Uncertain Times,” a reflection on the past decade, had taken on new
meaning. “Uncertain times” indeed when you can't find a performer.
Violinist Richard Altenbach in full flight
Richard Altenbach with piano-four-hands duo Aileen James and Ken Hardin will premiere “In Uncertain Times”
in TCCA's Petite Panache concert at 2 p.m., Sunday, in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Charles Atthill lives in Alta Sierra. His debut as an opera singer was canceled when an epidemic threatened the cast. The production was never rescheduled.
