Happy birthday to Fifty & Fabulous. It was in October
2004, that the first column ran. We thank the author, Grammy
award-winning singer, coach, NASCAR driver, politicians,
and several others who have shared their stories and inspiration.
By Mary Jekielek Insprucker
October 2005
While
other 14-year-olds were busy playing ball or other games,
William Henry was conducting a community orchestra in Pittsburgh.
“At the time, I was gung-ho and confident so my viola
teacher put me in front of the orchestra without any training,”
said , the current resident conductor of the North Carolina
Symphony (NCS). “I asked him to teach me first and
he said, ‘Good conducting can’t be taught.’”
Like a football under his arm, it was a philosophy ran with
the rest of his life and it proved to be a touchdown for
him.
His natural talent led him to worlds of harmonies
including conducting in Israel, Taiwan, and Thailand. “I
was surprised the Taiwan orchestra had the swing of a Strauss
waltz, but they did an excellent job,” said the 51-year-old.
While working with the Sai Jai Thai Orchestra in Thailand,
also highly qualified, had an interesting experience. “The
State Department wanted me to do two benefit concerts sponsored
by the King of Thailand, one of Beethoven and one of pop.
For the pop concert I thought of show tunes and thought
The King and I would be perfect.” However,
because of the less than perfect portrayal of the king in
the story the country had banning issues. had to receive
special permission from the king to perform it, as music,
no lyrics, only. Israel, too, held a twist. While sightseeing,
his guide warned him not to go down Arab controlled streets.
explained that it’s not different countries,
but different approaches to conducting that make poignant
music. “I use my hands, gestures, and facial expressions
to create powerful music, not just notes. I don’t
want technical music; I want inspirational music.”
It is this attitude that is seen repeatedly
in ’s conducting. “My neighbor’s wife
came to one of my Summerfest concerts and asked if I was
conducting a different orchestra because they sounded more
expressive.”
As
with many 50-plusers, starting taking stock of his life,
which led him down a new path- composing. His Eulogy
for a Dream was its by-product. The 17-minute piece
is in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. “I wanted to
lead a life more lived for others than myself. I had a sense
to leave a legacy. It has been the highlight of my career
to have it universally accepted.” The piece has now
become a January staple celebrated by America’s finest
orchestras.
Yet, the glory comes with some challenges.
“The most difficult thing you can do as a musician
is put your music in front of an orchestra asking them to
play Tchaikovsky, Strauss and !” said the conductor,
who admits he didn’t sleep well for two weeks before
the first rehearsal, recalling the words said to him by
Aaron Copland. “He told me as a conductor you’re
competing with mostly living conductors. But as a composer
you’re competing with dead composers from 400 years
ago, as well as living ones.”
Almost one-third of the NCS musicians are
50-plusers, and says they bring distinct attributes to its
sound. “Many joined the symphony 25 years ago and
they stayed because the orchestra and North Carolina seduced
them. They bring valuable experience. Having played the
standard repertoire many times, they are steeped in experience
and know how to pace themselves. When you play a 65-minute
symphony, you need to know when to relax, concentrate, coast
and where the dangerous areas are. It’s a great deal
of work but they do it easily because the music is in their
hearts and minds.”
On his own end of being a 50-pluser, “We
oldster need to pass on to the next generation what we know
and cherish. In my third act, I want to teach young people,”
which is why he has acted as a guest conductor at several
universities such as UNC, Duke, and Yale.
New this fall for the NCS will be a Faust
Symphony by Franz Liszt. “I have never conducted it
before and the orchestra has never performed it before.
It will be a challenge, but worthwhile.” said also
novel this year would be more late twentieth and twenty-first
century music performances.
Where did he think he would be at 50? “I
remember in seventh grade being asked to write a term paper
on what you wanted to be when you grew up. I wrote that
I wanted to be Leonard Bernstein. Bernstein had always said
he didn’t just want to be a composer, or teacher,
or pianist; he wanted to do them all. I’m not there
yet, but I’m catching up by using my love of music
as a gift or offering to society.”
What can he do to top himself during the next
50 years? “The outcome for me is not as important
as the journey to become a great composer. Fifty can be
fulfilling if you’ve played the first 49 years correctly.”
