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