Austin Huntington set to shine in Gulda's Concerto for Cello and Winds Nov. 1-2

The ISO offers an eclectic program with Mozart & the Misfits on November 1-2, 2024, with a Coffee Classical concert on Oct. 31, featuring ISO Principal Cello Austin Huntington in Gulda’s Concerto for Cello and Winds. These performances merge the enduring magic of Mozart with the unique charm of two accompanying pieces that pay homage to the humor and rhythm of his music. Schnittke’s Moz-Art a la Haydn incorporates music from an unfinished piece by Mozart intended to accompany a pantomime, and portrays the theatrical nature of such a whimsical medium.

Gulda’s Concerto for Cello and Winds offers the soaring freedom of various styles of music and sonic influences, merging jazz with funk, dance hall with Austrian countryside, and more in a liberatory and improvisational exploration. The ISO’s own Austin Huntington will take the stage for this concerto, bringing a thrilling fresh perspective to Gulda’s work. We spoke with Austin about the significance of this performance.

What aspects of Gulda’s Concerto for Cello and Winds do you enjoy the most, and why?
AH: I love how this piece is unlike any other work. It feels like a concerto where both the listener and the performer can let loose a little and truly experience the music without any pretense or formality. The goal of this piece is for everyone, including myself, to have a very memorable and enjoyable time shared together.

What can audiences expect?
AH: This piece doesn’t follow a lot of the traditional norms of composition for concertos. The opening movement is much closer to a rock or R&B song than Haydn or Schumann. From there, it just gets crazier and more fun. Think about this piece similar to a collection of artwork in a museum. Every movement has its own identity and soul, but they are all somehow tied together and connected seamlessly. After the first movement, we visit the Austrian Alps, a Renaissance Fair, and a rowdy beer hall in Bavaria. There is also a cadenza which, instead of transporting us to these far-away places, allows us to look more introspectively and experience the emotions of the movement rather than the scenery of all the other movements.

Anything else we should know about this work?
AH: Only that Gulda was known for his eccentric behavior. He was primarily a jazz pianist, but was also known to show up on stage completely naked to play pieces on his recorder as well, as a part of an alleged dispute about performance attire. The only thing you need to know is that it is a very seldomly played work, but it is a masterpiece. It’s a piece where even if you didn’t know the context for every movement, you would still enjoy listening. It’s a piece without pretense, and it welcomes everybody to listen to it, no matter your history with classical music, the symphony, or even with the cello.

This program coincides with Taylor Swift’s visit to Indy. Do you have a message for Taylor fans who might be looking for some additional entertainment that weekend? 
AH: This is the kind of concert that can push you out of your comfort zone in all the best ways, and lead to an amazing experience, especially if you have never been to the symphony before or if it has been a while. You’ll get to hear a crazy fun concerto in the first half with one of the greatest composers of all time, Mozart, in the second half. Taylor herself is a fan of classical music. She even gave a large donation to the Seattle Symphony after hearing one of their concerts where they played a modern work that spoke to her. Wherever you are in your musical journey and life, we’ll meet you there and give you a memorable concert experience to hopefully add to what I’m sure will be an already incredibly special weekend.

NOTE: For any Taylor Swift fans who want to experience classical music with the ISO, use the code TAYTAY50 for 50% off Mozart & the Misfits.