You enjoy a first class
music experience.
McGill: He was my early musical role
model. The passion, hard work and hours
he put into playing the flute at a young age
was something I grew up with. He paved
the way and I followed him in every respect as far as youth orchestras and music
camps, even college. He also pushed me to
be a better musician.
You are 34 and have had so much
success already. When you look over
your career, what do you identify as
the highlights of your career thus far?
McGill: The first was getting a job with
the Cincinnati Symphony out of school.
At the audition, I was 20 years old, so I was
21 when I started. The second moment
would be joining the Metropolitan Opera,
because it was a dream come true. It’s one
of my favorite orchestras, and I love opera.
The third would be being invited by Yo-Yo
[Ma] to play at the inauguration.
Describe the experience of playing
at President Obama’s inauguration.
McGill: It is almost like a dream that
it happened because I never expected
I would be so close to history taking
place. It was an unbelievably wonderful
experience to sit up there and see a million people looking in our direction. I
will never, ever forget it.
What differentiates playing with
the Opera Orchestra and playing
on stage with a symphony?
McGill: Obviously, we’re not on the
stage, so it’s like we’re a very important
piece of a very large puzzle. When you’re
on stage playing a solo, it’s like you become
the singer to the pit orchestra. What’s
wonderful is that, having played a number of the Mozart operas with the opera
orchestra, getting the opportunity to play
the Mozart clarinet concerto is wonderful
because I see the characters on stage when
I’m playing. I become like a vocal soloist
and the [BSO] is like the opera orchestra.
What distinguishes Mozart’s
music for clarinet?
Shoul dn’t you
also enjoy a first class
moving experience?
McGill: Mozart’s music is absolutely
beautiful, and I think a lot of that has
to do with his exquisite balance and
flow and energy. The [concerto] uses
every great quality of the clarinet—the
warmth of the tone is used, but also
there are technical displays throughout
the concerto. This piece was early in
the history of the clarinet and Mozart
extended the range from the lowest of
lows to the highest of the highs. He
uses the clarinet in a way that expanded
the expressive range of the instrument
greater than anyone had done before
and, possibly, greater than anyone has
since. The slow movement of the piece
is probably one of the most beautiful
pieces ever written, and the concerto is
so balanced in its perfection. It’s kind
of hard to put into words.
ContaCt
Donna Brown
Long & Foster Real Estate
realtor/reloCation SpeCialiSt
410-804-3400
email: [email protected]
weB: http://donnabrown.lnf.com
You are African-American in an
industry that has little AfricanAmerican representation; do you see
yourself as a pioneer? A role model?
Or do you not identify yourself in
these ways?
McGill: I always describe myself as
a musician. I’m not a pioneer because
there were a few people before me who
led the way into orchestras and conservatories. I’m proud that I can continue
a tradition of diversity in classical music. I think that being a great musician
is the best thing I can do to push that
forward and to pave the way for other
kids who see me playing on stage or in
the pit who may want to pick up an
instrument as well.
CONGRATULATIONS
We often have preconceived notions
about how classical musicians spend
their free time. What’s something
about you that would surprise the
audience to know?
McGill: I’m a huge football fan. The
Chicago Bears, of course.
JONATHAN M. LESHNOFF
Towson University Professor of Music
on your Guitar Concerto premiere
Towson University Department of Music offers
a comprehensive program of undergraduate &
graduate music studies. www.towson.edu/music
For information on tickets, please contact
the BSO ticket office, 410.783.8000
or BSOmusic.org.
January– February 2014 |
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