TOUR JOURNAL

Check back as the Tour progresses and read journal entries from:

Symphony Musicians

Edwin Outwater, Resident Conductor

Oliver Theil, Interim Director, Public Relations

And Others

Shanghai - Monday, February 13

Journal entry by Edwin Outwater, SFS Resident Conductor

Just came back from MTT's conducting master class at the Shanghai Conservatory. It is really a pleasure to watch and hear our SFS musicians play alongside the conservatory students. The young conductors in the master class seemed to get a lot out of it. If there was a running theme, it was getting the conductors to loosen up, express themselves, and inspire the musicians. I didn't see this personally, but one of my friends in the orchestra told me that when MTT was conducting a passage of Debussy's Afternoon of a Faun the student, standing right next to him, began to cry. There's so much more to these tours than playing concerts. These connections are what it's all about. I wish everyone could travel like this.

 

Shanghai - Monday, February 13

A few dozen members of the orchestra have stayed on to partake in an extraordinary day of educational programs at the famed Shanghai Conservatory. Sprayed across the various practice rooms of the Conservatory campus, musicians tought small groups of excited young musicians in most instruments; violin, viola, cello, bass, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horn, trumpet, and percussion. In the percussion class, timpanist David Herbert and percussionist Ray Froehlich not only gave sound advice to 15 eager percussion students, but also donated several sets of timpani mallets to the department, as both a gesture of good will as guests but also filling an important need among the students. SFS Executive Director Brent Assink and Director of Operations and Electronic Media John Kieser gave an inciteful 2 ½ hour presentation to students of the Conservatory Arts Management Program. Over 180 students are in this program, studying to become the arts presenters and managers of the new China and the information sharing was very much appreciated. After a delicious lunch at the Conservatory cafeteria, the SFS musicians made the 10 minute walk to the Middle School auditorium of the Conservatory, as Yun Chu reminisced about his time here as a youngster. Once there, they teemed up with several musicians from the Conservatory to form a small ensemble used in the conducting master class, led by Michael Tilson Thomas. MTT worked with three conducting students on three different works, including Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Working with musicians of the highest caliber is a very rare treat indeed for such students, and one that no doubt left a very deep impression, along with plenty of sound advice from MTT. And so came to a satisfying close the 2006 Tour of China. It was, in the end, only four concerts in 7 days, but deep connections have been made on many levels and will be remembered by both musicians and their audiences for a long time to come.

 

Shanghai - Sunday, February 12

It has been quite an eventful, though short time in Shanghai. The city is vast. A huge economic zone, a bustling port city, important financial center and an endless sea of sprawling growth. One truly gets a sense of the revving economic engine that is China. An impressive modern skyline sits along the Huang Pu river to the east, a skyline that was not there a mere 15 years ago. The west side of the river is the older European looking side, the British and French influences, from its time as an international treaty port in the 1800's, still very much apparent in the architecture Upon arrival, with several hours before our concert and most orchestra members flying home the next day, many scattered to take advantage of their last few hours of sightseeing, eating and shopping. The evening brought the final concert of the tour. The concert hall resembles a modern pagoda, crossed with a spaceship. But inside, the acoustics are warm and the sold out hall filled with excitement. Anticipation for the concert has been high, media attention great, and the sister city relationship between Shanghai and San Francisco celebrating its 25th year. Four members of our orchestra are also from Shanghai, and for them, this trip is definitely an emotional homecoming. And the concert indeed turned into a special affair for all, it was just one of those nights where orchestra and audience came together with a generosity of spirit and music-making of the highest level. Guest soloist Lynn Harrell had so much fun; he also decided to sit in with the orchestra to play the second half of the concert. There he was, stand-partner for SFS cellist Richard Andaya, playing Dvorák’s 8th Symphony and all three encores. At the end of the concert MTT recognized the Shanghai orchestra members from the stage and, proud of their home team, the audience cheered wildly. The Mayor of Shanghai, an important figure in the landscape of Chinese politics, was on hand and after the concert greeted MTT, President John Goldman and Executive Director Brent Assink after the concert. Tour sponsor Dixon Doll and his wife Carol were also able to meet the Mayor, and, of course, our gang of four from Shanghai. And as has been customary on orchestra tours, President John Goldman then generously hosted an end of tour party for the musicians, staff and accompanying patrons immediately following the concert. A fabulous Chinese feast was enjoyed by all and the short but highly visible tour proclaimed a great success on all fronts.

 

Hong Kong - Saturday, February 11

Journal entry by Lynn Hutton, Tour Operations Coordinator:

Eight hours into the fourteen hour flight to Hong Kong, we were flying over Siberia. Through the window, my traveling companions and I could see the frozen landscape below. I think that’s when it really hit me that we were traveling a long way from home for this tour. At least, it’s a long way from home for some of us. For many of the musicians, the trip to China is a chance for a brief homecoming, with a few hours here and there to see family and friends. As the flight continued, it really did feel like we were flying into the next day (the time in Hong Kong is 16 hours ahead of San Francisco).

The logistical planning of the China tour has been in the works for well over a year. Imagine making detailed international travel arrangements for a touring party of 150 people, which includes musicians, guest artists, administration staff, crew, etc.) There are visas and work permits to be obtained, endless forms and questionnaires to be completed and many late night phone calls and emails to Hong Kong and Shanghai. Cargo arrangements are in a category of their own. On this tour, the Symphony is traveling with 429 pieces of cargo, which contain musical instruments, equipment, and wardrobe. All of that cargo weighs a total of 10,000 kilograms. Our own SFS crew is responsible for staying with the cargo, loading it on to pallets, supervising the pallets as they’re loaded on the freighter, flying with it, then offloading it upon arrival. They have to go through this grueling routine a few times! Once everyone arrives to the tour destination, it’s a matter of attending rehearsals, concerts, receptions, and seminars - everyone has additional activities on their schedule relating to the Symphony’s participation in the Hong Kong Arts Festival. It’s also a matter of managing situations as they arise on a daily basis. For instance, only two days ago, we found out that the Hong Kong Marathon, which is huge and closes several streets, takes place the same morning as our departure for Shanghai, complicating an already tight travel schedule. This news forced the staff on tour to come up with some creative solutions to ensure the orchestra will arrive at the airport on time. Such is life on tour. Tomorrow morning, if all goes according to plan, we’ll be on our way to the next stop – Shanghai’s Grand Theatre. Wish us luck!

 

Hong Kong - Friday, February 10

A second concert tonight brings another rehearsal this morning, rehearsing tonight’s repertoire and welcoming cello soloist Lynn Harrell on tour, performing the Shuman cello Concerto. Chinese Television was on hand for the rehearsal, as media attention for these concerts has been high. A short afternoon break and it was concert time once more. Prior to this evening’s concert, tour sponsor United Commercial Bank hosted a reception in honor of the SFS in Hong Kong. President and CEO of UCB, Thomas Wu was on hand, as was his wife Jessa, who just chaired the SFS Chinese New Year Celebration on February 1, a highly successful community event featuring the blending of eastern and western music, instruments and traditions. The Wu’s are great friends and supporters of the SFS and we are grateful to have them as part of our extended family. Shortly before the start of the concert, a surprise visitor appeared at the backstage entrance. None other than former SFS Music Director Edo de Waart, now Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, which plays its concerts in this hall. Edo greeted many of the musicians who played for him, many of whom he hired in 1980, when Davies Symphony Hall was built, and the orchestra began its first year-round season. Davies Hall celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year. At eight, Edo and a sold out house took their seats to enjoy Ives’ Decoration Day, the Schumann Cello Concerto with cellist Lynn Harrell, and a rousing performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. After the show, MTT stayed on stage to answer questions from the audience, from a few hundred faithful who stayed to meet and greet our Maestro. Another long but rewarding day of music making in Hong Kong.

 

Hong Kong - Thursday, February 9

Concert day: the day begins with a morning rehearsal at the orchestra’s home for the next three nights, the Hong Kong Cultural Center, home to the Hong Kong Arts Festival. The orchestra last performed here in 1997, although tonight, they are the featured attraction as the festival opening act. Musicians meet up with their instruments, transported half way around the world in cargo trunks. They hit the stage to get used to the acoustics. Every hall in the world is unique, and these acoustic rehearsals are very necessary to get a feel for how the sound will carry and project, both onstage among the orchestra and out into the audience. Meanwhile, backstage, administrative touring staff learns that this coming Sunday is the annual Hong Kong marathon, shutting down the streets around the orchestra’s hotel, thereby making that day’s departure to Shanghai a bit problematic. Serious route planning ensues. The Hong Kong Arts Festival opens to a festive opening ceremony, and the concert is attended by Hong Kong’s VIPs, the Governor, political dignitaries, business leaders and arts patrons. The evening’s performance opens with the brass featured in Copland’s stirring Fanfare for the Common Man followed by Stravinsky’s Petrushka. The second half features Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, which was featured in the SFS’s pilot episode of Keeping Score. The episode was recently aired by Chinese National Television CCTV, reaching many millions of Chinese. Subsequent airings in China are planned. The raucous crowd demanded three encores, the highlight of which for the crowd was a traditional Chinese melody Colourful Clouds Chasing Moon, familiar to Davies Hall audiences from the recent Chinese New Year’s concert program, led by Resident Conductor Edwin Outwater. A full day of music, and a stirring start to the festival and to our tour.

 

Hong Kong - Wednesday, February 8

Our first full day in Hong Kong brought a day off for the orchestra, to recover from the jetlag and see the sights. Musicians fanned across the area, taking in the many varied attractions and sights and sounds of this fascinating city. Many took the scenic 10-minute Star Ferry ride across Hong Kong harbor then headed straight up, to take in the breathtaking views of the Hong Kong skyline from high atop Victoria Peak, 1805 feet above the harbor. Other members of the orchestra decided to take advantage of the wonderfully affordable and excellent tailors in the area, using the opportunity to update their concert tails with some new ones. On your next visit to Davies Symphony Hall, you may well be seeing some of the fruits of their labors. Others yet made a day trip to Macao, a former Portuguese colony only an hour away by Hydrofoil. The gourmet-inclined among the orchestra headed straight for the culinary delights of Cantonese cuisine, from Hong Kong style crab, to steamed fish and snow pea leaves and roast duck. But for one musician, Acting Principal Jie Liu, the free day was spent giving a master class to local music students. He taught a coaching session for a chamber group of young musicians at Hong Kong Baptist University. Jie Liu worked with the ensemble on two movements of Mozart’s Symphony No. 29, offering some pointers to this newly formed group of college students. At one point, he stopped the session and adamantly told the group’s teacher, “definitely needs more violas!”...only a violist can get away with that one! Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas didn’t get to enjoy much of Hong Kong today, as he spent the day editing an episode for the SFS’s television project Keeping Score: MTT on Music. Bringing classical music to ever widening audiences is no easy talk, and a Maestro’s work is never done. But MTT was able to enjoy a bit of China before coming to Hong Kong, as he flew a few days early to Beijing with friends Amy Tan and Ann Getty to tour the sights of the ancient capitol, including the Forbidden City, during a magical snowfall.

 

Hong Kong - Tuesday, February 7

9pm: The SFS tour party arrived safely and a just a bit tired after a lengthy 14-hour flight from San Francisco into Hong Kong. Home for the next 5 days is the Kowloon side of Hong Kong, just north across the harbor from Hong Kong Island. Most of the orchestra members retire for the night, while a few hungry souls venture out into the streets in search of some late night Cantonese cuisine. Won ton noodle soup seems to be the pick this time of night. Tomorrow brings a day off, but sleep is now prized.

San Francisco - January 4, 2006

Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) and the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) will make their first concert appearance in China during a February 9 through 13 tour that includes concerts in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The Orchestra’s three Hong Kong concerts, onFebruary 9, 10 and 11, open the renowned Hong Kong Arts Festival, and the February 12 Shanghai concert isthe SFS’s first ever performance in mainland China. Cellist Lynn Harrell joins MTT and the SFS in both Hong Kong and Shanghai. MTT and San Francisco Symphony musicians will lead a day of master classes withstudents from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music on February 13.

Tour repertoire includes Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Orchestral Variations; Stravinsky’s Petrushka; Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4; Ives’s Decoration Day from the New England Holidays Symphony; Brahms’s Symphony No. 2; Mahler’s Adagio from Symphony No. 10; Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8; Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 and Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A minor, featuring Mr. Harrell. In advance of the SFS performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, national Chinese public television CCTV will air SFS Media’s innovative television pilot Keeping Score: MTT on Music, an in-depth exploration of Tchaikovsky’s work and the powerful emotions it conveys.

As a cultural exchange to underscore the 25th anniversary of the sister city relationship between San Francisco and Shanghai, on February 13, MTT and SFS musicians will lead master classes at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, founded in 1927 and now one of the most important music schools in China. The Conservatory emphasizes skill training and comprehensive musicianship and comprises a six-year secondaryschool and a three-year elementary section, offering a self-contained, complete curriculum of music andacademic education in addition to advanced and postgraduate studies. Twelve SFS musicians will lead master classes in individual instruments for Conservatory students in violin, viola, cello, bass, timpani, percussion, clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon, horn, and trumpet. MTT will lead a master class in conducting for Conservatory students, and SFS musicians, joined by some Conservatory students, will be assembled into a small orchestra for the conducting students to lead. SFS Executive Director Brent Assink and Director of Operations and Electronic Media John Kieser will each speak with a group of arts management students and faculty at the Conservatory’s new Department of Arts Management, founded in 2003.