Post Convention Interview with Flute Choir Member: Judy

I sent some email questions to the ladies from the flute choir who attended the flute convention in New York last year. Here are Judy's answers.

Thanks, Judy! It sounds like you had a good time. See you in flute choir next month!

(Note: I will link to the video and if I can, audio items that Judy refers to, later today.)

Q: Was this your first time attending the flute convention? If no, what keeps you interested in returning? If yes, will you go again?

A: This was my second flute convention (technically, it's the third, but the first was very long ago and I only stayed for one day). I really enjoyed the Kansas City convention last year, and have mixed feelings about the NYC convention. I definitely plan to attend the Anaheim convention next year.

Q: Were there any performances that stood out for you in particular? Who was the performer and what did they play?

A: JAMES GALWAY!!!! His performance and master class are among the most memorable moments in my flute history. He’s a very entertaining personality and very endearing to me. He played:

(1) Gaubert, Third Sonata. Never heard this before. It is beautiful (want to learn this one).
(2) Gaubert, Nocturne & Allegro Scherzando. Wonderful.
(3) Debussy, En Bateau. A gem!
(4) Chaminade, Concertina
(4) Doppler, Rigoletto Fantasy
(5) Briccialdi, Carnival of Venice
(6) Morlacchi, Il Pastore Svizzero. I recognized the tune but not the name
(7) Bazzini, Le Ronde des Lutins. Ditto
(8) Taffanel, Grande Fantasie Sur Mignon. Breathtaking.

and 2 or 3 encore numbers.

QUINTESSENZ – a wonderful quintet from Germany. In addition to a ½ hour afternoon performance, they were the final act of a long closing ceremony (4:30 to 8:00pm). They were one of the highest points of the Convention for me and many others – long standing ovations. Their arrangements and playing were so unusually beautiful. Their arrangements are not published yet. They did Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream; Debussy’s Passepied from Suite Bergamasque; Ganne’s Andente et Scherzo (another most unusual arrangement played to perfection); Ravel, from Miroirs, Alborada del Gracioso. They have a few CD’s out and can be seen on YouTube.

ADRIANNE GREENBAUM with fiddler, bass, and cimbelon – klezmerflute.com. A great joyous sound! Loved the performance at Closing Ceremony. Can also be seen on YouTube.

PAUL EDMUND-DAVIES (principle flutist w/London Symphony Orchestra for 20 years) was also a highlight for me. His playing, of course, is astounding and he also has a very entertaining personality.

I saw/heard only half of Ian Clarke’s Thursday morning concert. I enjoyed it, but was a bit distracted due to jet lag from the horrible traveling schedule. Also fell asleep during the Thursday evening Gala (didn’t feel very Gala). There were many many performances and workshops I regret that I missed. Too much to choose from. Missed all the late evening cabaret jazz sessions this time. Temps were in the 90’s. Too too hot to enjoy mid-town Manhattan. The noise, traffic and hordes of people in Times Square, where the convention took place, were almost overwhelming to me.

Q: What fun, non-convention thing did you do while in New York?

A: Shannon and I took a ferry to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Museum – very interesting (and air-conditioned). The last evening and on Monday, Shannon and I met Patty and had a fun time – we found a small deli/restaurant then walked for a bit. Shannon and I also dinner with Ronna the first evening, then other evenings (when the temps cooled a bit) after the gala concerts, we took longer walks to explore the area.