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]
Articles
Hungarian Composer with a Door County Connection Featured with “International Colors”
For our concerts coming up this weekend and beyond, we have chosen the title “International Colors.” The programs feature the works of composers from France, Italy and Hungary. The work by the Hungarian, Ernst von Dohnanyi, has a tangential tie to Door County. Dohnanyi was one of the triumvirate of… [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]
VIDEO: Jim Berkenstock, Media Gadfly One-ups the WTMJ Weatherman!
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night… I have heard some lawyers referred to as “practicing attorneys.” Although I guess there are some who chose not to practice, it seems a bit redundant. Nonetheless, I sometimes refer to myself as a “practicing bassoonist.” Mostly it is to remind myself, especially… [Read More]
Smoothing Over a Last-Minute New Wrinkle
A 23rd season is not a particular anniversary season, but somehow this year seems like one for Midsummer’s Music Festival. We set up our performance schedule at the many enticing venues that have become part of our trademark, except that this year it seemed like there were more great possibilities…. [Read More]