dave kutz

-Writings-

During corona

June 30, 2020
Dave Kutz Yamaha International Artist. Photography © Shinji Otani

Strange times … March 12th I had a lunch meeting with my friend Perry Hoogendijk from the Concertgebouw on the rooftop of Nemo, then walked to the National Opera to have, what would turn out to be, the last rehearsal of Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny. The news came in the break that as of 17:00, we were shut down because of the corona virus which was spreading throughout the Netherlands.  The director of the opera, Sophie de Lint, gave us the bad news and we packed up, drank a beer and went our separate ways to the new reality of ZOOM meetings, Whatsapp chats and no concerts.

 

What to do?

As a member of Splendor Amsterdam, we as a collective decided to have each of us make an online mini-concert for the members. This was the genesis of the Splendor@HOME series (Splendor won the Classical Next 2020 Innovation Award) and the start of my new project online. I began recording etudes, songs, solos, and whatever I found interesting into video format. Originally to keep me busy, I soon realized that it was a therapy on many levels. I was amazed at my efficiency, and my learning curve for the technology was immense. I graduated to a larger computer, camera and microphone-and have been able to produce some interesting videos of quality. Covid gave me this chance.

My online video portfolio (some 38 videos) is growing and I have no intention to stop these online innovative collaborations.

 

Time has come to gradually move back from our virtual reality to the stage. The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra has resumed with small one and half meter concerts for a small audience at the NedPhO-Koepel. There still are tickets for 8 July 2020. I hope to see you there.

 

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