“Music is a constant in the background of our lives. While eating, reading and driving we hear melodies, but are we really listening?” writes Jacqueline Klecka in Tuesday’s (11/7) New Jersey Monthly magazine. “ ‘We’ve been trained to not give music our full attention,’ says Bedminster resident George Marriner Maull, artistic director of the Discovery Orchestra … founded as the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey in 1987…. The organization’s mission changed in 2006 when it became the Discovery Orchestra [which] aims to make centuries-old pieces more accessible and approachable…. During interactive music lessons, or Discovery Concerts, Maull, 70, enthusiastically leads musicians on stage as the audience follows along with listening-guide pamphlets. During frequent pauses in the performance, Maull instructs concertgoers to listen for specific instruments and musical elements…. This season, the orchestra is presenting three Discovery Concerts…. The GrooveBarbers, a barbershop quartet, will perform on November 19. Pianists Suejin Jung and Péter Tóth will play music by … Liszt on February 25. The orchestra itself—almost 40 strong—will perform … Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 4 on April 29.” Says Maull, “Not everyone can become a virtuoso violinist, guitarist or pianist, but everyone can become a virtuoso listener.”
Posted November 9, 2017
