Inside The Los Angeles Philharmonic:A Visit With Stacy Wetzel
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Back in January of this year I had the honor of interviewing Esa-Pekka Salonen for the Valley Sun. My intention at that time was to make what the Philharmonic does at Disney Hall and at the Hollywood Bowl less of a mystery and a little more accessible to us, the readers of the Valley Sun. I truly believe that “knowledge is power” (Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est), Sir Francis Bacon (1597).
Esa-Pekka Salonen is one of the most famous and sought after conductors in the world. There has been a lot of worldwide attention focused on Salonen and his successor as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudemel. While these two meteoric men, I am sure, deserve all the media attention, there is another member of the Philharmonic who has much more power and influence than the two of them combined: my wife.
I recently had the honor of interviewing Stacy Phelps Wetzel, member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic first violin section.
QUESTION: How long have you been playing the violin?
ANSWER: 44 years.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I studied at Juilliard. I received my bachelor of music from the University of Washington and my master of music from the University of Michigan.
Q: Go Blue! Who has been the biggest influence on you as a musician?
A: The person who has been the biggest influence is the one with whom I studied the longest, Camilla Wicks. She is an exemplary human being and devoted mother, as well as a superb artist and consummate musician.
Q: As a mother of three children, how do you see classical music benefiting them and how have you brought classical music into their lives?
A: When it became apparent that each of the kids had some degree of musical talent, we realized we had the responsibility to nurture it and help them develop it (not always a fun process). They all play an instrument and we’ve discovered some great byproducts of practicing and performing.
We try to expose them to all forms of good music.
Q: What is the most satisfying thing for you about being a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic?
A: Besides going to work with my husband and working with such fantastic colleagues (I go way back with some of them), I would say that the most satisfying thing is the Hollywood Bowl season because it’s fun and more laid-back and we do a lot more mainstream, traditional 19th century music. I love playing under the stars with the moon out — it is so magical!
Q: What has been a particularly rewarding program for you this season?
A: I really loved the two weeks when Christoph von Dohnanyi conducted all the Brahms Symphonies. Next to Bach, Brahms is my favorite composer and Dohnanyi is absolutely uncompromising in his musical and artistic standards.
Q: What determines where you sit in the first violin section?
A: With the exception of the first three stands of first violins, seating in the Philharmonic string sections is based on a rotating section, so we revolve to a new seat every two weeks
Q: What was the audition process like for you?
A: The audition was grueling for me. I left a titled chair (non-rotating) after eight years in the first violin section of the San Francisco Symphony and found myself (at that time with a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old) competing with kids fresh out of college. The audition process is flawed because it is so subjective. I just hope I never ever have to take another one!
Q: What are your thoughts on the selection of our new music director at the Philharmonic?
A: I am ecstatic! I knew when Gustavo guest conducted nearly two years ago that he was the real deal. His energy, his compelling musical ideas and especially his most appealing people skills have completely won us over.
“By far the best proof is experience” — Sir Francis Bacon. The Philharmonic leaves for tour on Friday, April 27 to perform concerts in New Jersey and New York City. When we return on May 6, there will remain only four weeks of concerts at Disney Concert Hall. You can choose which programs you would like to attend and purchase your tickets on line at https://wdch.laphil.com/ or by calling (323) 850-2000. The programs of the last four weeks of the season are exciting but only you can discover whereof I speak by the “proof of [your own] experience.”