Conrad Tao & Beethoven's “Eroica”

Went to the Pacific Symphony concert on a Saturday earlier this month.

The Saturday performance will broadcast on KUSC on Sunday, February 28 at 7 PM (PST).

Listen to Alan Chapman's preview on SoundCloud.

Carl St.Clair conducted Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 with Conrad Tao, and Beethoven's Eroica Symphony.

In Alan Chapman's absence, assistant conductor Roger Kalia gave the pre-concert talk.

He interviewed principal oboist Jessica Pearlman and Conrad Tao.

Jessica debuted the symphony way back when Midori played Tchaikovsky.  I remember because we sat next to her dad.  He was so proud and relieved that she got a full time job.  :)

They talked about the auditioning practice of orchestras, which was quite interesting.  A tip for those pursuing a musical career:  during a blind audition, don't make a sound unless asked to, don't even talk, because that is going to give them some impressions, which may work against you.

And Conrad Tao first came as a substitute for Yuja Wang, playing the Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.  He said he liked these sub-gigs, because it gives him this sense of control.  (Kind of evil-ish.  :))

I think he has returned to the symphony every year since then.  He was so young back then, but now he's grown a beard!