Preu
The other thing of course , is everything that surrounds us . In the Northwest , it ’ s just so beautiful . There are other beautiful parts of the country , but this …
Art Chowder : We are kind of spoiled here . PrEU : Yes ! The lake is right there . The mountains are right there . The river is right there . Wilderness is right there . The Palouse is right there . So I think I will miss both . The way the people are , and also the nature .
Art Chowder : What lessons have you learned here that you will bring with you to your next adventure ?
PrEU : When I came here I had no idea that I could actually do this . I think what being here has helped me do , is put all these little pieces together : how to study music , how to talk to people , how to do a little fund raising here , an interview there , a preconcert talk . All these things I had done before , but never all together . So I had all these skill-set puzzle pieces , and I was able to put them together into one coherent piece . I have learned a lot from everyone in this organization , and actually , I think I became a music director here . I think I became myself here .
Art Chowder : With such an insight , I have to ask . If you could choose anyone to write the score of your life , who would it be ?
PrEU : I don ’ t think of my life as being that interesting to write a score about it . Let ’ s be honest . It would be so disappointing — the life of a conductor . It ’ s not glamorous at all . It ’ s like a ballerina . Every morning at the barre , lifting your leg and trying to stretch , like aaahhhhh ! It doesn ’ t get easier . However , I think it would be a composer who would transcend my life , not describe it . I think it needs to be bigger than me , deeper , just using me as an excuse to write something much nicer . The composers I can think of that I always feel are miracles of music history are Brahms and Bruckner . There ’ s so much beauty , so much depth , melody , tragedy , doubt and … struggle . I think becoming a conductor is mostly about struggle , and of course , beauty .
Art Chowder : Maestro Preu ( rhymes with joy ), thank you . You will be missed .
In Maestro Preu ’ s final season ( the Spokane Symphony ’ s 73rd season ) he will conduct Classics Concerts 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , and 10 . If you would like to experience a concert for yourself , ticket information can be found at www . spokanesymphony . org or by calling the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox Box Office at ( 509 ) 624-1200 .
50 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE