Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES Fall 2019 21 A World of Music Lincoln Center Stage on Holland America Line By Jayne I. Hanlin W hether on stormy or calm seas, cruise ships transport travelers to romantic and exotic destinations. Stewards clean cabins, and chefs prepare delicious food. While onboard, there are many activities for vacationers. I've cruised with several different companies, but only Holland America Line (HAL) offers my favorite pastime — attending performances by Lincoln Center Stage — two violinists (who rotate playing the first and second violin parts), a violist, a cellist, and a pianist. is is the perfect combination for a variety of chamber music, including solos, duets, trios, quartets, and quintets. In partnership with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, HAL has elevated its former live music offerings by adding Lincoln Center Stage (LCS), a program that began in January 2016 on only one ship — the Eurodam. LCS was so successful and popular that the company expanded this music-at-sea program to include seven other vessels in its fleet: Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam. Honoring guests' concerns about distracting noise and traffic during performances, HAL redesigned the venue on all ships for better ambiance. To audition for LCS, interested musicians (18 and older) who are fluent in English must submit videos and resumés for representatives of both HAL and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to evaluate. Aerwards, each selected applicant is interviewed and then plays two live performances — one individual and the other with a chamber group. ose chosen musicians pass ing all the rigorous requirements receive a contract, usually for four months. Music is an international language, and LCS attracts applicants from all over the world. In general, they have received degrees from prestigious American institutions (including e Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Eastman School of Music) and distinguished European ones (such as Mozarteum Salzburg and London's Royal College of Music). Although the music on these voyages includes chamber compositions by the three B's (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms) as well as Dvořák, Schumann, and Mozart, LCS's repertoire is not limited to classical masterworks. When the group presents popular pieces, such as those by three more modern B's (Brubeck, Bublé, and e Beatles), the sound, though perhaps less traditional, is quite appealing. HAL encourages performers to add up to four of their own programs to supplement those — about a dozen — currently in the weekly rotation. Last time aboard I was delighted to hear a new arrangement by Sheng- Ching Hsu, a wonderful violinist on my first LCS voyage. Her "A Night at the Ballet" featured music of Tchaikovsky, Khachaturian, Grieg, and Mendelssohn. For most people—since there are concerts virtually every evening and on days at sea — adding variety is especially important on longer journeys so that passengers do not have to listen to the same programs multiple times. Personally, however, I must admit that I could never tire of the hearing the piano quintets of Dvořák, Schumann, and Brahms on any voyage — no matter its length. ese fine players are also great ambassadors for music. To engage the concertgoers at each program, they take turns speaking and give insight about both the composers and the works in a friendly, non-intimidating, down-to-earth manner. Such an approach is extremely important because the audience is definitely not exclusively veteran symphony attendees as evidenced by the applause between movements of classical works. Aer the finale, those onstage stay to mix with members of the audience. On each of my three HAL cruises, the LCS members accepted my invitation to meet for lunch. It was fascinating to learn more about their musical aspirations so that I can follow their careers. Sometimes we had mutual acquaintances and similar musical experiences. Aleksandra Lelek, a Polish cellist on the Koningsdam, gave me her CD Duo Ardente. In the future, I hope to hear these talented individuals perform on land. From my experience, the LCS venue is oen filled to capacity. e standing ovations prove that the passengers enjoy the concerts. With these "rave" reviews, it is no wonder HAL is going to include LCS on all of its dozen ships by 2020. Twelve ships. Five players on each. at means sixty LCS musicians at any given time. Rather than sing, they play — but for more than just their meals. In addition to a monthly salary, the company pays their travel expenses to and from embarkation and debarkation ports. Players have their own room, which makes individual practicing convenient, and they enjoy the status of paying guests. Best of all, they share their extraordinary talent with their appreciative audience as they experience the awesome joy of traveling all over the world.

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