Letters to the Orchestra
Maestro Miropolsky,
On Monday evening, the Cascade Orchestra under your direction, demonstrated just how glorious and wonderful life can be, at least within the realm of music. The performance of the orchestra that evening was nothing less than stellar. The performance of the guest soloist, Nathan Chan, was moving and awe inspiring. Nathan and his virtuosity are truly a gift to classical music lovers in the Seattle area. It was also very enjoyable to see and hear Nathan and David Tan performing together after Nathan’s and the orchestra’s great performance of Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. The orchestra’s performance of Dvorak’s New World Symphony was the crowning glory of the evening and seemed to me to be well-nigh perfection.
I noted how the woodwinds, so integral to that piece, performed so well together was quite lovely.
Thank you and the orchestra for your excellence and virtuosity in continuing to entertain classical music lovers in this area. Please continue in your excellence. All the best from a devoted fan,
Tom K., Brier, WA
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Dear Maestro Miropolsky,
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement during rehearsals and performances of both Haydn and Chopin concertos. They have been my biggest accomplishments in 2023 and I could not have done that without you. That was so memorable! I appreciate all of the help you gave me during these two performances. It definitely gave me more confidence that I could do my best to present myself to the audience. Thank you very much! In the future, I will work harder and hope to get more opportunities to share the stage with you.
Jimmy Huang, Rising Star Winner
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February 4, 2024
Saturday was a magical day for Anya (Anand, winner of the Rising Star Competition) and us. We never expected to be treated like Royalty by the Cascade Symphony Orchestra. Anya is just a kid, and she was on Cloud 9 the way the day unfolded, with the reserved parking for the Solo-ist followed by Green Room, and the interview with the Maestro. The actual playing of the concerto and the flowers, and the after-concert reception where numerous people came out to wish her. She loved the treats and the trophy, such a sweet gesture. We are VERY thankful to the Cascade Symphony and look forward to playing.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Arch, Anya’s mother, Rising Star Winner
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Dear Michael,
Thank you so much for being so supportive and encouraging to Ruohan (Rising Star). I deeply appreciate your sensitive and musical lead of the orchestra, careful balance and phrasing, and the joyful and vibrant character that you brought to the performance. It was truly a pleasure working with you! Thank you so much for your continuous support of young pianists, they need the experience as they spread their wings and fly into the world. The opportunities to play under your baton and Cascade Symphony are tremendously valuable. We felt very honored and excited for Ruohan to play with the Cascade Symphony and your leadership.
With lots of appreciation and best wishes,
Dr.Yelena B, Steinway Artist, NCTM, AS
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Good Day, Michael
Thank you so very much for making my birthday special spending time with you and your beloved musicians. We especially enjoyed Italian Capriccio. Gorgeously uplifting to the mind and soul. What could words possibly be uttered about soloist, Amos Yang? Anything you could say about them would simply come up short of their sacrifice and devotion in becoming THE true artists in music making. Watching you, Michael, as a conductor, one can see you know every single note of every single piece of sheet music. And with a wonderful loving excitement you lead the orchestra to play for us, for you, and we believe it is because you truly love what you are doing and to whom you are doing it. As for all the members of the symphony, you naturally bring them to an inner desire to want to perform to their best ability for you. It shows!
Sincerely,
Richard K.
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Dear Michael,
You must take the credit for Jimmy’s (Huang) freer performance, Michael!
You always follow the soloist so well, but following his extreme rubato was an amazing feat!!
You were exactly with him and made it clear to us when to play our few notes!!!
I’m sure he felt free to do as he liked because he knew he could trust your leadership!
Bobby M, Orchestra Member
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Dear Michael,
That was one of my all-time favorite concerts. I had never heard or played the Scythian Suite and I loved it. Capriccio Espagnole was something I had been wanting to play for years. Thanks for making it happen!
Beverly S, CSO Principal Clarinet
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Dear Michael,
Ellyn and I attended the recent Seattle Symphony concert which included the Grieg Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky Symphony # 6, both of which we were thrilled to play with you in Cascade Symphony. Today we saw Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Carmina Burana and we recall how much we loved playing it with you. We are so grateful for your marvelous programming which gave us the joy of playing such fantastic works as these and playing them with our all-time favorite conductor! Thank you! Michael, we so miss seeing you regularly and talking with you. But we’re forever grateful for the years we played under your baton, and the marvelous music you chose and worked on. Being in CSO has been a highlight of our musical lives. Thank you so much!
Steve & Ellyn R.
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Dear Michael,
Congratulations! The nature of Chopin required flexibility and a spontaneity that is very demanding on the conductor and forced the whole orchestra, soloist, and conductor to be making music in the moment. Art on the podium. Bravo! It warmed my musical heart. Thank you and great job!
Richard G, Orchestra Member
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Dear Michael,
You must take the credit for Jimmy’s (Huang) freer performance, Michael! You always follow the soloist so well, but following his extreme rubato was an amazing feat!! You were exactly with him and made it clear to us when to play our few notes!!! I’m sure he felt free to do as he liked because he knew he could trust your leadership!
Bobby M, Orchestra Member
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Dear Michael,
That was one of my all-time favorite concerts. I had never heard or played the Scythian Suite and I loved it. Capriccio Espagnole was something I wanted to play for years.
Thanks for making it happen!
Beverly S, CSO Principal Clarinet
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Dear Michael,
Ellyn and I attended the recent Seattle Symphony concert which included the Grieg Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky Symphony # 6, both of which we were thrilled to play with you in Cascade Symphony. Today we saw Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Carmina Burana and we recall how much we loved playing it with you. We are so grateful for your marvelous programming which gave us the joy of playing such fantastic works as these and playing them with our all-time favorite conductor! Thank you! Michael, we so miss seeing you regularly and talking with you. But we’re forever grateful for the years we played under your baton, and the marvelous music you chose and worked on. Being in CSO has been a highlight of our musical lives. Thank you so much!
Steve & Ellyn R.
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Hi Michael,
What a great season! I have been meaning to say how much I have enjoyed it! Beethoven has the most challenging bass parts. It was great to see the orchestra lift to the challenges set. The orchestra sounded great. Thank you!
Richard G.
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Dear Michael,
Thank you for your kind words. It was so great to be back playing with Cascade. Thank you for having me and letting me play in the violin section. I missed playing for you and the orchestra a lot. I really like playing in Cascade, I think you are a wonderful conductor, I love the support that the orchestra gets from the community and the dedication of its musicians. Thank you for making me feel welcome and I reiterate my desire to keep being part of the orchestra.
Best regards, Rafael
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Hi Bobby and Michael,
I really enjoyed hearing the orchestra from the audience. Many things stood out to me. The strings are absolutely wonderful sounding. They have such a rich sound. The balance between sections works very well. I was amazed at the blended sound across all the brass. I was in the upper rows of the balcony. I’ve never sat out there listening to the orchestra. I was very impressed and pleased with all my colleagues. I think I stand even prouder than I did before.
George S, Principal Trumpet. CSO
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