The Pianist

Sectional rehearsals first today, then tutti rehearsals up next. First with Mr. Bamert, then with Mr. Judd. Tutti rehearsals are rehearsals that involve the entire orchestra.

Today was a day the orchestra members spent rehearsing further for our upcoming concerts in Europe. It was a day that we were also introduced to Mr. Gerhard Oppitz, our piano soloist who will be performing with us for the first time on August 28th in Merano.


Mr. Oppitz is a German classical pianist. In 1981, he was appointed professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München, the youngest in the history of the Institute. He continues to teach there as he travels giving over eighty performances a year. We learned too that he happens to also be a pilot, who often flies himself to his concerts around Europe.


Watching Mr. Oppitz play was captivating. His fingers dance across the keys, tinkling the ivories with precision and speed. How does he make it look so easy, getting the keys pushed to be released in a blink of an eye? He wears a soft smile as he plays in full contentment. Even the way his feet pushes his pedals so lightly is graceful. Then, as he hits the last note, his hands bounce away from the piano. We were absolutely enchanted.

Mr. Opptiz will play the solo in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op 58. It is a piece that we will perform with energy and passion. The music is such that it lifts one’s spirits right off the ground. 


It is interesting to note that many of us felt the introduction of the piano had an interesting effect on the orchestra. Add to that Mr. Oppitz’s magic on the keys and the AYO sound was infused with a new contagious energy. It’s almost as if an exciting new character enters the plot of our story.

Later in the day, we enjoyed more pizza (we are feeling very Italian) and some faculty members, residing in Italy, hosted dinner for their section members. As for the rest of us, we swam in the pool or, if too jet-lagged, preferred to relax and catch up on sleep.

Ci vediamo domani – see you tomorrow.

Rovato at night

Our tower of pizza boxes at lunchtime



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