January-- beginnings and endings

It was a lovely weekend in the middle of January.  Temperatures were in the 50's.  The Nebraska Chamber Players were performing at NETV, a venue as classy as the music.  Wine and other beverages were served along with fancy hors d'oeuvres.

The crowd was receptive and enchanted by beautiful music.

Rusty is playing "Montuno"  with five other musicians.

The "Duo for Viola and Double Bass" was a very fun piece written by former Cincinnati Symphony bassist, Frank Proto.  I heard many rehearsals in our new home studio, but to hear this piece in concert was very special!

Clark Potter on viola, Rusty White on bass.

The high point of the evening for me (and perhaps also for Rusty) was the "Duo for Marimba and Double Bass."  Rusty has not written music for many years and he wanted to give it another shot.  The result was both unusual and spectacular.  The audience gave it a very warm reception!!

Rusty exploits the timbral possibilities of the instruments.  The mallet was one of many creative choices he used.

The movements were I Pulsar, II Swampy, and III Giocosoandso.

We celebrated Rusty's big performance with dinner at Issara.

Kinda weird to see both the parking lot outside and the reflection of the restaurant within at the same time.

On Monday morning Rusty informed his colleagues of a decision he has been contemplating for over a year.  He announced that he is retiring from the bass!  He has some commitments that he will need to keep in the next nine months, but after that there will be no more bass playing for Rusty!  This decision gives us both pause, but it's one that I feel sure will open new doors for Rusty.