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.

Friday, November 27, 2020 – What do Brahms and baseball have in common? For cellist and Minot State University music professor Dr. Erik Anderson, they have a lot in common. For him, it all starts with deep listening. On this Day of Listening, a retail-free alternative to Black Friday, Anderson shares his love of ball and Brahms. 

Backstage at an October talk-show where we were both guests, a conversation with Ashley Thornberg inspired this interview on baseball, music, and how important the observer is in defining an experience. The surface presents the same sights and sounds, but so many details tend to lie hidden in plain sight (sound!). Many thanks to Ashley for revisiting this idea, which grew out of car-ride conversations with my graduate cello professor, Yehuda Hanani.

11.27.20 3pm & 7pm CST, then posted for streaming

https://www.prairiepublic.org/radio/listen-online/

Landed in beautiful CA last night, meeting our dear friend Ruth Ellen Kahn at the airport. We met her son for dinner at a Chinese restaurant near the Bay at Tiburon, and enjoyed the benefits of traveling two time zones to the west–what a great sleep.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s concert, a private event at the top of Belvedere. We went up there today to check out the space; I will give the lecture and performance looking out at the Golden gate bridge–stunning.

Sunday’s program is inspired by Bach, the thread that connects the repertoire, even though only one composition is by the man himself. Immortal Bach by Knut Nysted, Beethoven’s Sonata in D, Op. 102, No.2, Spiegel Im Spiegel by Arvo Part, and then Brandenburg No. 6, in Bb, to conclude. It will be fun to share the stage with Dianna and talk about this great music with our audience. Tickets and info available at Musica Marin.

As you can tell from the pic, I get to play on a blue cello, on loan to Musica Marin this year. Beautiful on many levels.