CA: Short participation in a classical music concert, Aug 10

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 25 Jul 2008 8:54 am

I will be participating in a classical music concert on August 10, at the Pasadena library, 285 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, California. The concert stars t 2:30 and will last about an hour. I do not know what time I will play.

The concert is a set of duets between L.A. Philharmonic violist Carole Mukogawa and cellist Michelle Beauchesne. I will be joining them for one short piece.

The arrangement originally called for a classical guitarist, but Carole, who had heard my CDs courtesy of a mutual friend, decided to use me instead.

Needless to say, even though I'll only be playing for 3 or 4 minutes, I'm totally stoked at the thought of playing with symphonic musicians.

It would be nice to see some of my friends and fellow steel guitarists in the audience, even though my time on stage will be so short. I hope some of you show up.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 3 Aug 2008 10:38 am

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 3 Aug 2008 11:14 am

Mike are you playing from a written out score where you have to play an exact part? If so will you memorize it or read on stage? Any chance of a you Tube clip of your tune?

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 3 Aug 2008 11:46 am

Billy, I adapted my solo from the written score, changing it somewhat to give it more of a characteristic steel sound. I have been given a free hand to improvise the accompaniment when the viola player is soloing. The cellist will not be soloing, but will play a bass line instead.

I don't know about any plans to record the event.

The most interesting thing about this (to me at least) is how the ladies and I are coming from such completely different backgrounds, yet we blend together so well. (Of course fiddle and steel have always been a good combination.) These women can sight read anything, and I am in awe of their ability to do that. At the same time, neither of them have developed their ears the way we all have, and as much as I admire them for the way they can read, they admire me just as much for my ability to play by ear.

Right now, the focus is on getting though this concert, but we are talking about possibly forming a trio, in which I would be an equal partner.

This isn't exactly what I had envisioned for myself, but if it happens, I'm going to go for it.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 3 Aug 2008 1:14 pm

Sounds interesting. I hope you tape it.

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 3 Aug 2008 2:30 pm

Mike, great news. Wish I were in the area. I enjoy Chamber groups and was fortunate enough to attend one recently in our little, outback, area of Arizona.
Best wishes and expecting you to have a great show. Wish it was recorded so we could share your good fortune.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 3 Aug 2008 4:36 pm

Hey Mike...congrats on this feather in your cap! Ditto on what David D. said!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 3 Aug 2008 4:57 pm

Thanks guys. BTW my Spanish Steel CD is at the pressing plant and will be ready in time for me to sell at the concert.

In addition to the piece we rehearsed, they asked me to play something by myself. After some discussion, the ladies and I agreed that I should play "Danny Boy," as my arrangement of that song is very characteristic of the pedal steel sound, and clearly demonstrates what the instrument does.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 4 Aug 2008 5:00 pm

Mike,
Thanks for once again stretching the boundaries of the pedal steel guitar. Sure wish I lived close enough to attend this concert. May the muse of music be with you along with my best wishes for a successful and well attended event!
Larry J.

Dean Batye · Post by **Dean Batye** » 6 Aug 2008 2:38 pm

Hello Mike,wish I could be there for the concert,we have to take care of some things before we make it down to La.I know it will go well for you.
Your Friend,
Dean Batye

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 8 Aug 2008 11:28 am

bump for Mr. Perl

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 9 Aug 2008 2:03 am

First, thanks everybody for your support. The girls (can I call them that?) LOVE the steel and it looks like this is just the beginning.

I'm going to use my green steel, the one in my avatar, instead of the Millennium. You may recall that the paint on my Milly was chipped back in late march. Well, it's still not repaired yet. The guy promised it to me Aug 1. Well, he didn't even get get started on it till last Monday, and he's not finished yet.

I don't know how many of my friends and fellow steel players will show up, I really can't expect very many of my people to come since I have such a small role. But apparently a lot of people from the classical music community are going to attend.

I've always said that my goal in recording my CDs is not to introduce classical music to people who love or play the steel guitar, but rather to introduce the steel guitar to people who love or play classical music. This is my first opportunity to perform for that community. It's pretty exciting. I just hope I don't blow it.

BTW I just got the commercial pressings of my Spanish Steel CD, in time to sell at the concert. I'll make the formal announcement and start taking orders on Monday.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 10 Aug 2008 7:01 pm

Well, I did it. Overall it went well, but I did hit one major clam.

Even so, aside from a few friends who showed up, nobody in the room had ever seen or heard a PSG before, and everybody loved it. The lady in charge of booking the concerts wants us back next year.

It looks like these two ladies and I are going to form a chamber ensemble.