orchestra21

If you haven’t made it to a WCFSO performance this is the kind of thing you’ve been missing:

As an encore Chris [Thile, mandolinist] stepped to the front of the stage and played the Presto from the Gm solo violin sonata unamplified. It was as fast or faster as any version from a modern violinist and, despite the speed, very musical as well. More ovations and then Chris sang a slow Gillian Welch song with mandolin accompaniment. I would have preferred more Bach but he won me [and the audience] over.

Even cooler is the wonderful first person account of this performance from mandolinist, composer and librarian John Goodin [originally posted at Mandolin Cafe]. Forget old media reviews – this is the feedback we should be looking for. Thanks, John!