While at the Aspen festival in 1995, I heard the Sonata (written 93, pub 94) by Andre Previn, written for he and Yo Yo Ma. Can’t recall who played it–might have been Lynn Harrell or David Finkel–but it left an impression. Bought it the next year and Dianna and I programmed it on one of my Doctoral recitals at CCM. Back then, we only had one child; now the youngest of our four sons is 22. Time flies. Fast forward to now, and it seemed like the right time to bring it back, alongside Beethoven’s Op. 69 Sonata. Nothing like sharing the stage, musical and otherwise, with a life partner. Music with friends, for friends.

Dianna and Erik reading through a brand new song from the cycle that Erik Mychal Anderson is writing for his brother Curtis. Texts are all about mushrooms, written by one of Curtis’ friends, Mya Temanson, and will be performed as a complete set as part of his senior recital this May at Lawrence in Appleton, Wisconsin. Grandbaby Mychal gave notes on the reading, but seemed to be pleased overall. A discerning ear, for sure.

Thanks to the Minot Hot Tots for inviting me to perform the national anthem at their July 14 game this past season, also a fund-raising night for the Minot Symphony Orchestra. So much fun to experiment with effects pedals and electric cello potential.