I am elated. "The Wanderer" by Ezequiel Viñao went very well. The second performance in particular, in Oak Park, was astounding. We seem to have really made an impact on our audiences. I am so proud of the Chicago a cappella singers who worked so very hard to master the most difficult piece I have ever programmed.
We had programmed very difficult music before, but never a piece (1) this monumental or (2) one of such difficulty to which I was so fiercely committed that we would do it complete justice. I guess there is a form of tenacity that comes out in a situation like this.
I told the singers afterward, "I feel a great sense of confidence. After learning this piece, there is nothing we can't do -- bring it on, world!" We also have had the good news that the Sara Lee Foundation will underwrite our commissioning of 5 new pieces from 3 composers next season. Surely none of them will be this hard!
There is a sense of triumph when you know you have given something your best shot. And while I am disappointed in one of the reviews we received, I am not that bothered by it; for our loyal supporters and patrons and subscribers and for the singers, and for the composer himself who created this remarkable piece of music, we did the right thing.
New music really does make a difference. Commissioning really does have a different feel to it than "inheriting" a piece that someone has written for a different occasion. I have long said that Chicago a cappella is a champion of new music, because we have probably given close to 100 pieces their Chicago or world premieres... but that's not the same as being the impetus for having the piece written in the first place. It feels great.
Okay, I don't think I have to blog about this piece ever again, except if there are some more reverberations or afterglow! Thank you for sticking with me for all these many months while we got the piece ready to roll. Now it's on to programming 07-08. Have a good week.
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