This week, CMW is thrilled to welcome oboist Frank Rosenwein to Providence for a residency that will include plenty of music-making with the CMW Players. Frank has been a CMW fan and supporter for a long time, and this is his first visit to CMW.
I first met Frank in the Wild Ginger Philharmonic about twelve years ago. If I remember the apochryphal story correctly, the orchestra was already on board a chartered bus preparing to depart New York City for a week-long rehearsal retreat when we found out that one of our two oboists had dropped out. Everyone on the bus was asked to quickly brainstorm the names of possible replacements (who could be immediately available for an unpaid week of rehearsing all day long with less than luxurious accommodations).
Someone offered, "How about Frank Rosenwein from the Cleveland Institute of Music?" Turns out Frank just happened to be in Manhattan at that moment getting repair work done on his oboe. A couple of hours later, Frank was miraculously aboard the bus! Or, at least, that's how I remember it. I'll check with Frank this week about my accuracy.
Wild Ginger wind section with Frank (at left) in 1999 (photo: Bill Irwin)
In 2011, Frank holds down one of the most prestigious orchestral positions in the country as principal oboe of The Cleveland Orchestra. No one who heard Frank play back in 1999 is the least bit surprised.
Repertoire for the week:
Boccherini Quintet No. 6 for oboe and strings
Corigliano Arioso for oboe and strings
Harbison Snow Country
Milhaud Les reves de Jacob
I hope you'll be able to catch one of our three performances this week with Frank.
-Heath Marlow, Managing Director