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Waiting on the bus
It is morning in Valencia, and the orchestra awaits the arrival of busses which will take them to the airport. PSO stage technicians Rocky Esposito and Jim Petri check their schedules, planning logistics for the load-in of instruments and wardrobe trunks at the next stop, El Escorial outside of Madrid.
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Picasso Park
Madrid’s homage to Spain’s great artists is everywhere. The Picasso Park was near the hotel, complete with shaded walking paths…
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Viola Cases
The viola section has emptied this trunk of the instruments – all that is left is the extra foam which PSO stage technicians pack carefully around the instruments’ cases in preparation for shipment.
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High Tech Seats
Many of the halls have high-tech seating for the orchestra. Players have a good time playing with the controls!
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English horn
The bell end of the English horn. The convex shape is just the opposite of the bell belonging to its smaller and higher-pitched cousin, the oboe.
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Tuba Valves
The valves of the tuba. Pressing the keys in various combinations changes the length of tubing which is vibrating, resulting in changes of pitch. In addition, a player can adjust each pitch with a small valve controlled by the ring over the player’s thumb.
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Trumpet Mouthpiece
The business end of a trumpet. The air inside the instrument is set in motion when a player buzzes his lips into the mouthpiece.
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"Spit" Valve
By pressing down the lever on the right the small key to the left will open and a brass player can release condensation which builds inside the tubing of the instrument (no, it's not really spit!)
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Violin Scroll
The scroll of a violin follows a traditional shape based upon a precise geometric formula. Though calculated, this basic shape will carry the mark of the individual violin maker through subtle interpretations of its curves.
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F-holes
Similar to the scroll of the violin the f-holes are a traditional shape which becomes inflected with the touch of the violin maker.
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Violin Mute
The black square suspended between the middle strings of this violin is a mute. Pushed up to touch the bridge (the upright on the left over which the strings are spread), the mute will stop a good many of the vibrations which would normally travel through the bridge to the body of the instrument, resulting in a softer tone. While soloists rarely need to use a mute, orchestra repertoire often requires it.
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Andrés Cárdenes and Joen Vasquez
PSO concertmaster Andrés Cárdenes and violist Joen Vasquez enjoy a joke together before the concert.
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I'll take Classical Music for $200, Alex
The glowing squares of cobalt glass at the back of the El Escorial stage resembled a Jeopardy game board…
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On the monitor
…and in the wings a television monitor of the stage makes the game show illusion even better!
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Conductor Rafael Frübeck de Burgos
The concert has begun. Conductor Rafael Frübeck de Burgos face reflects the emotional content of the music…)
