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Musician's profile

Inside this Issue

In Celebration of Our International Musicians
Digital Care Package
Center Stage
Spotlight 180
Musician's Playlist
Music & Wine Pairing
Symphonic Sweets
Pet of the Month
Joke


In Celebration of Our International Musicians

One thing that every culture has in common is music. No matter the race, creed, ethnicity, or country, music exists as an omnipresent tool used by all societies to express emotions, to celebrate important events, or to help elevate a religious ceremony. Even some animal species have proven to have “beat perception”, allowing them to bob along with the rhythm of the music. Music, in all its different forms, has been around for millennia. The oldest musical instruments found so far, are flutes made of bone and ivory, unearthed in a cave in southern Germany, crafted 42,000 years ago. Experts believe these flutes may have been used recreationally or in religious rites. Some researchers even believe that music may have played an important role in the evolution of humans, helping us to edge out the Neanderthals, allowing Homo sapiens to become the dominant species.

But how does that universality affect orchestral musicians today? An orchestra is a  strange thing – a microcosm of humanity, sitting onstage together in pursuit of a  common objective. What’s fascinating about music in an orchestral setting is that you  could put musicians from every country on a stage, side-by-side, none of them able to  speak the same language, and they would still be able to cooperatively play the music  in front of them – whether it be a Beethoven Symphony or a song by the Beatles.  Musical notation has its own jargon. Regardless of the language used by the composer,  classical musicians have a wellspring of knowledge that allows them to translate and  interpret the composer’s wishes. Tranquillo (It.), Ruhe (Ger.), tranquilamente (Sp.), and  calme (Fr.) all mean to play quietly and serenely. Conversely, allegro (It.), Schnell (Ger.), rápidamente (Sp.) and vite (Fr.) mean to play quickly. This communal  understanding of musical script is what allows orchestral musicians of all stripes to  communicate without words. Music is the common language. 

Music is the universal language of all mankind.” 

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In the Alabama Symphony we are lucky to have a large contingent of musicians from all over the world – all of whom have chosen to make Birmingham, Alabama their home. We have musicians from Romania, China, Japan, Bulgaria, Taiwan, South Korea, Armenia, the Republic of Moldova, and Russia – a multinational melting pot of artists who have dedicated their lives to the same craft. Performing amongst such an incredibly diverse group of people is an extraordinary experience – one that makes an orchestra like the Alabama Symphony a truly remarkable place to work and discover not only what makes us unique, but more importantly, what makes us the same. Birmingham is so fortunate to have this gift of skilled musicians who have not only brought their talent to our stage, but have also brought their culture, customs, and experiences to our community.

Digital Care Package

Digital Care Package

In response to COVID-19 and the resulting solitude it created among our most vulnerable population, the Musicians of the Alabama Symphony have put together a “Digital Care Package” of small chamber music performances. We would like to share it with you in the hopes that it makes this time apart a bit easier. If you work or live in a hospital or long-term care facility and would like a copy of these performances to share with your residents, please contact us at 
contact@ALSymphonyMusicians.org

CENTER STAGE
Yuriko Yasuda

CENTER STAGE

Principal Second Violin, Yuriko Yasuda, joined the ASO in 2005. Since joining the orchestra Yuriko has experienced many of life’s biggest milestones here in Birmingham. She married her husband, Truong Nguyen, in 2006, and they started a family shortly thereafter. Today they have three children, 13 year old Linh, 9 year old Tuan, and 7 year old Nami, and live in a quiet Hoover neighborhood.

Born in Sapporo, Japan, Yuriko began her musical studies at the young age of three and a half. While her parents were not musicians, she did follow the lead of her older brother by picking up the violin. Dedication and routine were values that were emphasized in her family, and as a result she learned to practice her craft daily, building the skills she would use for the rest of her life. Although she did not play the violin to the exclusion of all other pursuits, by the time she was high school age it had come to dominate her focus. She began college studies on the instrument in Kyoto, Japan, but transferred part way through her education to the celebrated New England Conservatory in Boston. It was there that she first met her future husband Truong, but it would be several years before they officially became a couple.

yuriko-2

Her studies continued with a Master’s degree at Northern Illinois University, while she simultaneously performed as Concertmaster with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. This opportunity came with a full scholarship, housing stipend, and the chance to work with some of the same world-renowned conductors that work with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Subsequently, Yuriko won a spot with the prestigious New World Symphony Orchestra in Florida, setting her apart as one of few to hold spots with two of the top training orchestras in the country. It was soon after that she secured her current position here in Birmingham, and once again moved her life to a new city.

Since moving to the United States around age 20, Yuriko has now spent more than half of her life here in America. When asked what that means to her today, she affirms that performing with a full-time orchestra in the States fulfills a lifelong dream for her. At the same time it can be quite difficult when close family members live so far away. A particularly challenging time was when her father became very ill. Only being able to visit for a short time at the end of his life was a sobering reminder of the physical distance between them. With Truong’s family still in Vietnam where he grew up, travel is a huge commitment on both sides, and has been rendered virtually impossible during the pandemic.

Beyond the travel restrictions, the pandemic has presented obvious challenges for both musicians, and families with school age children. One bright spot for Yuriko has been the emergence of a new hobby — quilting. At the time of the mask shortage last year she confronted the problem by getting out her sewing machine and becoming reacquainted with it through fashioning masks for her family. One project spawned another, and soon she was creating full-size quilts, finding the experience both creative and pleasantly meditative. The time at home also gave her the opportunity to start a garden, and she has delighted in growing native Japanese vegetables here in Alabama soil.

When pressed about what she misses most about her hometown, Yuriko cites the beautiful mountain scenery — especially when it snows in winter. Her children would love to visit Japan more often, and as a result, Yuriko encourages them to keep up with learning Japanese. While this is a meaningful tie to her roots, she also smiles as she tells of their love for American football — a true sign of Alabama assimilation! Here in Birmingham she and the family love the green hills and proximity to nature; they can often be found on hiking and biking trails near their home, and at the Hoover splash pad on hot summer days.

SPOTLIGHT 180°

SPOTLIGHT 180°

By Kathleen Costello

Although they were moving from Germany at the time, Carlos and his wife Yolanda both grew up in Venezuela, and were moving their family of two young girls (and a baby on the way) to Alabama. As I now know is their custom, ¡HICA! was there with open arms to welcome them to Birmingham. Mingling among the new faces, I immediately felt a vibe of warmth and sincerity penetrating the room. There was genuine excitement and enthusiasm for the ASO’s recent music director appointment. When choosing a Spotlight 180 organization for this international feature for our newsletter, ¡HICA! immediately came to mind.

I first became aware of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, or ¡HICA!, in 2015 when they graciously threw a reception for our then newly minted music director, Carlos Izcaray.

¡HICA!

According to their website, their mission states: “¡HICA! is a community development and advocacy organization that champions economic equality, civic engagement, and social justice for Latino and immigrant families in Alabama.”

The organization was founded back in 1999 when the now CEO Isabel Rubio noticed a lack of centralized support for the increasing Latino population in the area. Since then the organization has grown into a non-profit organization with a robust staff, a board, a junior board, and a league of volunteers and interns.

In speaking to Chief Operating Officer Carlos Alemán, I learned that ¡HICA! directly impacts around 5,000 people per year, and that the reach of the organization extends far beyond what one might immediately assume. Programs for assisting with citizenship and immigration exist alongside programs for housing assistance, and for women and families in crisis. Incidentally, the only bilingual HUD certified counselor in the state can be found at ¡HICA!.

HICA

There are employees dedicated to college readiness support, business development support, and a recently added micro-lending program; one that has distributed 100,000 dollars in loans to 38 individuals. Impressively, not one of those individuals has missed a payment, even during the pandemic!

This phenomenon of resilience is reflected in the way ¡HICA! has chosen to pivot in the past year and a half. Early on during the pandemic they were a haven for food assistance, and soon realized they would need to raise funds for those in need of financial help. Over 300,000 dollars were raised to help with rent and bills for constituents that were struggling to make ends meet. Most recently they have partnered with government and medical facilities to aid with translations on signage, Covid testing, and now vaccinations.

When I asked Carlos Alemán why organizations like ¡HICA!, and the ASO are important to the city and surrounding areas, he emphasized both organizations’ ability to connect communities. He stressed the importance of supporting groups that bring people together in a shared space, and that encourage shared experiences. To learn more about how ¡HICA! supports the community, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit their excellent website: www.hicaalabama.org. The group holds several yearly events, for the purpose of both fundraising and community building. Perhaps you have heard of their Tamale sale, a popular and delicious annual fundraiser held around the winter holidays. An inaugural pig roast is planned for September at Cahaba Brewery — maybe I’ll see you there.

Musician's

Playlist

SPOTIFY LINK

Brought to You

BY ALEX HORTON

In this month’s Musician’s Playlist, I want to highlight some of my favorite composers and artists from outside of the United States. These four selections have nothing in common musically, but I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I do.

July Playlist

Issue 4

“Arabesque No. 1” from Deux arabesques is one of Claude Debussy’s most well-known compositions for solo piano. Debussy is often seen as one of the first Impressionist composers, despite rejecting the label himself. His compositions grew in scale and pushed the boundaries of form and harmony more and more throughout his career. Debussy wrote “Arabesque No. 1” in his late twenties (between 1888 and 1891), so the harmony is relatively straightforward, and the piece is in a standard ABA form. I am always drawn to the calming, meditative mood of Debussy’s music, and this piece is no exception.

And now for something completely different: the second movement of Symphony No. 10 by Dimitri Shostakovich. Consecutive offbeats and frenetic running sixteenth notes convey the feelings of anger and anxiety in this short movement. Shostakovich, one of the most revered 20th century Soviet composers, wrote Symphony No. 10 in 1953, soon after the death of Joseph Stalin and a few years removed from the conclusion of World War II. There is some speculation that the second movement of Symphony No. 10 is a musical portrait of Stalin, or a musical depiction of his time as the ruler of the Soviet Union, but this was never confirmed by the composer himself. This symphony, especially the second movement, is one of my favorites to play and listen to.

The next track on the playlist is “Wind and Walls” by Kristian Matsson, a Swedish folk singer-songwriter who performs under the name The Tallest Man on Earth. This song is one of my favorites from the album There’s No Leaving Now, and if you are a fan of folk music, I would encourage you to listen to all of it. He recorded and produced the album at home within a five month span in 2012. Matsson’s music is primarily lyric and melody focused with a repetitive harmonic structure. Similar to other folk music, Matsson’s songs are mostly laid back and easy to listen to. I personally love his guitar playing and the catchy melody in “Wind and Walls.” This song, along with the rest of the album, is always a staple on my road trip playlist.

The final track on this playlist is “Big Freeze” from the album The 2nd Law by Muse. Muse, an English rock band formed in 1994, have acknowledged a wide array of artists and composers as influences (Queen, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Rage Against the Machine, Jimi Hendrix, Hans Zimmer, and Frédéric Chopin to name a few). They are often compared to U2 by fans and music critics, and “Big Freeze” could easily be mistaken for a U2 song. This song is in 4/4 time, and it showcases lead singer Matt Bellamy’s vocal range. I grew up mostly listening to rock bands like Queen and U2, so I quickly gravitated toward “Big Freeze” when I listened to The 2nd Law for the first time.

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Music & Wine Pairing

By Mayumi Masri

One of my favorite wines to drink during the hot summer months is Pine Ridge’s Chenin Blanc-Viognier. Pine Ridge Vineyards, located in the Stags Leap district of the Napa Valley, is mostly known for their Cabernets made with Napa fruit. However, this wonderful white blend made with fruit from California’s central valley deserves to be mentioned with their other high profiled wines.

With aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossoms and jasmine tea, it is a wonderful pairing with the flowing and calming motifs from Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1. The wine is crisp and bright with flavors of tangerine, lime, lemongrass, ginger, white peach and green apple. As you listen to the playlist, you’ll realize that the wine has a long, clean finish and there is a lingering of citrus flavors.

Pine Ridge Vineyards Chenin Blanc-Viognier 2019 Available at local grocery stores and Costco

Perfect for picnics, grilling, barbecue, and spicy Asian food, this refreshing white blend will make you smile as you kick back enjoying a hot summer day with a chilled glass of wine in your hand. Cheers!

Symphonic Sweets

Symphonic Sweets

Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves, traditionally consumed in East Asia. The cornerstone of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, matcha has gained popularity in the United States due to its health benefits and can be found in most neighborhood markets these days. The bitterness of matcha combined with the sweetness of condensed milk makes for a perfectly balanced not-too-sweet dessert.

Creamy Matcha Pudding

8 oz whole milk
4 oz heavy cream
2 oz condensed milk
1 envelope (.25 oz) unflavored gelatin
2 Tab matcha

Matcha Sauce
1 Tab matcha
2 oz condensed milk

1. In a bowl, soak the gelatin in 2.5 tablespoons of water and 8 oz of milk. Microwave the bowl for approximately 30 seconds or until the gelatin dissolves.
2. Mix the matcha and condensed milk with a small whisk.
3. Add heavy cream to the matcha mixture above then combine with the gelatin mixture from step 1, mixing well without creating bubbles.
4. Place the bowl in ice water to let the pudding mixture cool down, then pour into 4 individual ramekins through a strainer.
5. Chill in the refrigerator to harden.
6. Meanwhile, prepare matcha sauce, as you did with the matcha and condensed milk in step 2, and set aside.

Pour matcha sauce on top of chilled and hardened pudding before serving.

Pet of the Month
Ms. Merry Ciulla

Pet of the Month

While it often seems like the pet world is raining cats and dogs, we can’t forget our other faithful friends. Enter stage right: Ms. Merry Ciulla. Merry is July’s Pet of the Month and President of the “There Are Other Pets Besides Cats and Dogs, You Know” club. (Disclaimer: the club name is currently being workshopped. Thank you for your patience.) Merry, the hedgehog (which is NOT the same thing as a porcupine, thank you very much,) was adopted by Nick and Siobhan Ciulla in December 2015 – proof that for some, the best gifts do indeed come in small packages (Nick still has his doubts.)

Weighing in at less than a pound, this mini flyweight makes up for her small stature with her extra-large personality. The perfect pet for a year of quarantine, Merry prefers to sleep during the day and stay in shape by running on her exercise wheel. All. Night. Long. Incidentally, Nick and Siobhan now own stock in WD40.

A true Southern girl, MC hates being cold, and is often found curled up on her own personal heating pad. A mystic at heart, Merry practices the ancient art of “self-anointing”, which is the act of spitting up foam from any new or unusual foods she eats onto her back. (PSA: please don’t try this at home – what’s cute for hedgehogs is not always cute for humans.) While she doesn’t mind when her parents practice the trumpet (Nick) and oboe (Siobhan), she doesn’t quite understand what the big deal is – after all, why would you spend all that time making noise when you could be giving her cuddles? So, the next time you “ooooh” and “ahhhhh” over cute kitten and puppy videos on Facebook, remember that the one thing better than kitten claws and puppy teeth may just be the 5,000 tiny punctures you could get from hugging a hedgehog.

Joke of the Month

What is the difference between a fish and a musical instrument?

You can't tuna fish!