The Fazioli F308, a Truly Grand Piano Bound for Door County

Fazioli currently offers six models of grand pianos, the largest being the Fazioli F308, which at 3.08 m (10 ft 2 in) in length is the longest piano available in the world market. The Fazioli is noted for its inclusion of a fourth pedal on the F308. This pedal brings the hammers… [Read More]

Pondering Brahms by Walter Preucil

Following last weekend’s performances, a two-day break allowed time for me to enjoy Door County with my family. Along with three hundred other runners, we enjoyed the beautiful course at the Crossroads at Big Creek trail run. On Sunday, we were in Milwaukee to send our son Anthony off to a… [Read More]

Interpretation: Looking Between the Notes for the Shape of Music

We recently played a program called “Blessed Spirits” named as a result of the first piece by Christoph Willibald Gluck entitled the “Dance of the Blessed Spirits” from his opera Orfeo. It featured our flutist, Jean Berkenstock, in one of the most sublime and hauntingly beautiful instrumental solos in the entire operatic… [Read More]

A Glimpse of Paradise by Walter Preucil

Last Monday, I went on a hike at Peninsula State Park’s Eagle trail, which afforded me a perfect opportunity to wrap my mind around the coming week’s repertoire and be ready for Tuesday’s rehearsal. The two mile hike was a sensory feast, not unlike the week’s biggest musical challenge, the… [Read More]