In my music-science course, our first field trip each Fall was across town to the season’s first rehearsal of the Pasadena Symphony, where we sat on stage with the orchestra, almost close enough to the strings to be poked by their bows. The physical impact of close-up sound was new to most students, and electrifying to all of us.

Conductor Jorge Mester usually began by playing something straight through; but on the occasion I’m thinking of, he stopped the orchestra during the “Enigma” Variations. Leaning toward the first violins, and speaking confidentially, he urged, “Play it more chocolate.” Read More »