Guest Mystery Critic

It seems that John Storgårds and  I have difficulty being in the same concert hall at the same time. The last time he was in Houston, I was living it up in New York City with the Berlin Philharmonic. And this time, I have been called away by a family emergency.

I had received so many positive reports about Storgårds' sheer ability and basic excellence that I was really looking forward to seeing him this visit. And now I won't get to review the concert unless and until it is broadcast on Classical 91.7.

But never fear, gentle reader. I have enlisted the ears and good judgment of one of the finest young musicians in our city. Our guest mystery critic will attend the concert in my stead and provide us with a close look at Mr. Storgårds.

How could I not? I really want to find out what he is like, and hearing from this guest mystery critic is this is the next best thing to being there myself.

As for you, if you attend the concert--on either side of the footlights--I invite you to share your impressions in the comments, either anonymously or as attributed to you, whichever you choose. This blog should be an interactive experience.

Because the next music director for OUR orchestra ought not be chosen without more voices being heard. Going from good to great starts with getting the right people on the bus and in the right seats. This seat, on the podium, is an important one.