IMPROMPTU by Cyrina Yarbrough
Ellen Pendleton Troyer
VIOLIN
Ellen Pendleton Troyer was first featured in the BSO ’ s 1991 September / October issue of Overture . The one-page article introduced Ellen as a ‘ New Face ’ in the orchestra and briefly touched on her hobbies , cooking and running .
Although many things have changed for Ellen over the years , she still has a love for cooking . She and her former percussionist husband host grand dinner parties from time to time . The ingredients often come from their very own garden .
“ When I first met my husband we were equally talented in the kitchen , but he refined his skills even more after our daughter was born . He ’ s a scientist by trade , so he ’ s interested in molecular gastronomy , foams , and gels . Now he ’ s crazy good in the kitchen and can do a ten-course party for ten people . It ’ s like the best restaurant in town .”
If you couldn ’ t already tell , these aren ’ t your average dinner parties . Much like a musical performance , these parties require advance planning , a few trial runs , and a specially curated guest list .
“ When I get my schedule at the beginning of the year , we ’ ll pick a Saturday or Sunday when I ’ m not working , and we start planning from there .” She explains . “ We decide what type of party we want to have , what cuisine we want to highlight , and then he uses me to test the dishes . Essentially , he starts rehearsal for the big night weeks and weeks in advance .”
In addition to providing ingredients , tastetesting , wine pairing , and occasional sous chef duties , Ellen is also responsible for providing the guests for the party , and they ’ re usually her fellow members in the Orchestra . With dishes like Chicken Saltimbocca and Grappa infused Ice Cream on the menu , everyone wants to know what it takes to land a space on the invite list . Maybe we ’ ll explore that in the next issue of Overture ….
MITRO HOOD
48 OVERTURE / BSOmusic . org