Musician Profile - Mike and Dian D'Avanzo

TPS - What is the best part about being a married couple within the Orchestra? Is there a negative aspect to being married within the Orchestra?
D'Avanzos - It's really nice to be able to understand each other's work place issues, even if we have differing view points! We both know when the other one is under stress for a performance, when to leave them alone to let them practice, and when to help. We play for each other to get critiques all the time. I guess the main thing is that we support each other absolutely in our work, and it's amazing to have a partner who really knows what a life in music is like, and shares that passion. The bad? Mostly the schedule. Although it's great to work together all the time, we do run into issues with childcare, and who can go to the children's events. When you work on the weekends, you end up missing some things.

TPS - What piece(s) have you yet to perform that are on your wish list?
D'Avanzos - We can't think of anything in particular, but what amazes me is how many pieces I am really loving that I didn't know I would get so much out of. The John Adams piece Nixon in China was amazing a musical experience, and this year's "Argentine Tango" concert was also one of my new favorites. The wonderful thing about music is that you're never done learning, and that's what makes it so fascinating.

TPS - What is your favorite orchestral piece to play, and why?
Dian D'Avanzo - Wow, there are too many to count. I'm sure we'll have different choices on this, but I love the Brahms symphonys, all of them, Scheherazade is just one of Rimsky-Korsakov's pieces that I always enjoy (the huge violin solo might have something to do with that), Vivaldi's Four Seasons (violin again) and Dvorak's New World Symphony (it just feels good to play!). These come to mind at the moment. Ask me next week, and I'll probably have some different choices. :)
Mike D'Avanzo - I have so many favorites it's easier to list the pieces I don't like, and I'd rather not say!

TPS - What non-classical music do you enjoy listening to? Any favorite bands?
Dian D'Avanzo - I grew up in a classical-only household, but my horizons have greatly expanded since then, largely due to Mike's influence! I listen to Sinatra, Tony Bennett (incredible phrasing of melody), and a lot of Big Band (often while I clean the house). I love Gypsy violin music by Gyorgy Lakatos and Stephan Grappelli for Jazz violin, what they do with timing is amazing! I also love choral music. Lately I've enjoyed a recording from Macedonia of a women's choir - the sound is so rich and warm. Little Walter and Louis Jordan are pure fun, but my latest favorite is a CD Sheila Falls, my college roommate at New England Conservatory, made this year called "All in the Timing." She was the all-Ireland fiddle champion at 18 years of age, and this CD has a lot of her favorite Irish music along with some that she wrote herself. As far as bands go, I like Coldplay and Harry Connick Jr.

Mike D'Avanzo - I enjoy listening to folk and traditional music both from Europe and Asia, and South America. I'm game to give a try to just about everything that's out there except rap, techno, hair band, and disco. Lately I've been listening to Harry Connick Jr., with whom my sister is touring at the moment as a violinist band member. Although I like a lot of other music, the reason why I do this for a living is that none of it touches me like the best of the classical repertoire does.