Letter from Georgica: Listen carefully, these talented musicians are performing
The idea of a symphony orchestra in the Hamptons may sound—well, dissonant at first. After all, we are a chain of small towns without a large auditorium. But other unlikely events have sprouted here—the Hampton Classic began as a small local show and has become the largest show jumping event in the country. Bridgehampton Polo was a concept four years ago and now hosts some of the best polo in America. The Hamptons International Film Festival, only six years old, is now an outstanding venue for independent films. My feeling—based on my experience with a number of non-profit organizations—is that we have as big an audience here for serious music as we do for sports or movies.
I would not recommend going out and starting a symphony orchestra. The amazing part of this story is that we happen to have musicians from one of the world’s most exciting orchestras ready, willing and able to get involved with the Hamptons. It is the New World Symphony, and the Artistic Director is Michael Tilson Thomas. Michael, at age 52, has an Olympian presence in the music world—he’s also Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony and principal guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. He’s handsome, charming and every inch the Maestro.
The New World Symphony, now ten years old, is one of those dreams that magically came true. Michael had a concept of an orchestra as an academy, with the best and brightest of university and conservatory graduates studying, practicing and performing, and then going on to chairs at the major symphony orchestras of the world. With the support of the Arison family, Carnival Cruise Lines (whose home part is Miami), and other benefactors, the dream took shape. The home base is Miami Beach, in the Lincoln Theater, an Art deco landmark, and the musicians bunk in two renovated South Beach hotels. The members are young—all under thirty—and vastly talented. Carefully culled through a highly competitive audition process they receive three-year fellowships with the orchestra. They are now acknowledged as the finest assemblage of young musicians in the world. Visualize a young musician rollerblading down the street, propelling his bass on blades beside him, and you get the picture of what they are like.
The musicians perform during a regular season in Miami Beach and also travel. Last February the full orchestra played at Lincoln Center and continued on to major capitals in Europe. For the past two summers, small chamber groups from the New World have spent several weeks in the Hamptons performing and getting to know us. And we have gotten to know them. My take on it: they are wonderful to listen to, terrific to look at (summer outfits provided by The Gap), and fun to be with. For those reasons alone, they belong in the Hamptons. But they are also the start of something important, laying the groundwork with each performance for a future musical presence.
Logistics—housing, transportation along our two lane roads—preclude a full symphonic assemblage. But I think a regular summer season for chamber groups might be realistic—and certainly welcome. This summer, the visiting musicians are performing at private homes and conducting master classes and workshops with local students and teachers at the East Hampton Middle School and at Hayground and Hampton Day.
We’re all invited to participate—to attend a free concert, or sit in on an open rehearsal and meet the musicians. For information call William Vaughan at (800) 597-3331 x260.