After 17 days of traveling, two concerts, one masterclass, and a videoshoot, we have now reached our fourth town and our sixth accommodation with rehearsals and two more concerts coming up.
We are currently in Richmond, Virginia at the East Coast of the US. A few blocks away lives Robert, a friend of mine who I met at the `Bang On A Can` festival six years ago. He works as a music teacher at the local prison and is also a father to a five-year-old. The day before yesterday we rehearsed at his house while our kids played lego and his cat rubbed against my legs and the bass clarinet. It’s a lovely feeling to be welcomed so warmly and to get a glimpse into his life. Robert and his partner Bronte tell us about their favorite playgrounds and even get discounted tickets for the Children’s Museum for Sebastian and our son while I’m back rehearsing.
Robert is a member of a music community in Richmond that features me as a special guest in their monthly concert cycle. They have also organized a pop-up house concert where I‘m playing solo pieces as well as duets with Robert on the harpsichord. As a special treat, we play a trio with our host Raphael in the instrumentation of baroque violin, bass clarinet and harpsichord. In typical American fashion, pastries, cheese platter, crackers and wine are served during the intermission. People are enjoying the intimacy of the concert and are curious and open to all new music I’m introducing them to. They are kind of blown away and truly fascinated by all the sounds my instrument is able to produce. „Please, come again to Richmond!“ So we are almost in a hurry after all these nice talks to arrive in time for the second concert that day. The location stands in raw contrast to the first one as this music community organises classical concerts in unusual spaces. We’re in a place that is a gallery, a bar, and a stage at the same time. Doors and windows are wide open so the music can be heard several blocks away. Tonight, eight acts are performing: musical singers, classical instrumentalists as well as me and Robert. The audience, again, is very welcoming and cheerful. Finishing off a great day Robert, Bronte and me are celebrating our concerts at a local Indian restaurant.
