My playing in real life (i.e. The Cleveland Orchestra) is inflected with and enhanced by my experiences at Marlboro—specifically the sense of community which chamber music embodies; the give-and-take between partners, the support for others musical and otherwise, learning when to lead and when to follow, how to lead while following and follow while leading, grappling with the whole panoply of human interaction.
I think music is more and more a balm for the distracted and socially isolating times we are experiencing. If we can focus on using our art to connect, uplift, and create community, we will be as important to the future as we have been to the past.
It’s all about growth, musical and otherwise. Of course deep introspection and internal focus is required, but profound understanding is not found solely in isolation. It helps to have like-minded (and contrary!) people around to listen to and learn from.
