Pittsburgh Symphony 2008 Tour of Europe

The PSO travels by train today. Violist Meng Wang enjoys lunch as the Spanish countryside flies by the window.

As the train from Madrid to Valencia nears its destination, groves of the namesake orange appear. Orchestra members also marveled at vestiges of many castles perched on mountain ridges and outcroppings.

Valencia is a charming city, its architecture a congenial blend of styles. Tonight’s venue, the Palau de Musica, is a newer building.

A small room is found backstage for the harp. Each of the harp’s 47 strings must be tuned before the concert, a task made easier by a quiet spot in which to work.

Principal cellist Anne Martindale Williams is about to unpack her cello from its travel trunk. Larger instruments usually are sent to the next venue by truck…

…as are the garment bags containing the orchestra’s concert clothes.

One of the men’s dressing rooms at this venue. Like a Pandora’s Box, garments come flying out of the trunks for the concert.

Valencia oranges and juice await the conductor in his dressing room.

Tour managers set up tea and coffee fixings backstage at each venue, complete with hot water pots. After a long day of travel a quick shot of caffeine can be very helpful!

The official PSO bulletin board is set up backstage with the day’s schedule.

The board may also contain local reviews, as well as articles from the Pittsburgh papers. Violist Isaias Zelkowicz studies some of the PSO’s tour coverage.

Backstage is a good place for a chat. Principal French hornist Bill Caballero and principal trumpet George Vosburgh…

…and French hornists Steve Kostyniak and Bob Lauver have all found good spots for a chinwag.

Violinist Holly Katz comes up stairs to the stage. Many halls on this tour have multilevel backstage areas.

Concertmaster Andrés Cárdenes stands as the orchestra tunes before Valencia’s concert. In addition to conventional auditorium seating…

…this hall seats many concertgoers behind and at the sides of the stage. These audience members are almost close enough to read the music of the PSO’s horn section!