James Dixon Papers [UA10028], University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries.
Wednesday evening
1.21.81
Dear Maestro,
It is enjoyable to have a quiet evening at home. I will take the opportunity to communicate a few thoughts to you which have been on mind through the past several weeks.
First, thank you for your kind season’s greetings. Your message was received with much appreciation. The winter scene on the face of the card can be seen resting on top of my refrigerator in a singularly prominent position.
I returned to Michigan on Friday, January 2nd, and have been settling into my new home during the past three weeks. Through friends, I was able to make an arrangement with a retired couple, who winter in the south, to ‘house-sit’ in their home during their absence. They will return shortly after the semester ends at the university – very convenient! The house, actually more of a cabin, is only twenty feet away from the water’s edge of Coldwater Lake. It is one of many residences which are close to the shore line of this rather large body of water. The environment is resort-like, with the wilds of mid-Michigan surrounding the settlement. I am sure this is a very active place in the summer, however, right now it is a secluded area. In fact, most of the residences are uninhabited during the winter months. It is only a fifteen minute drive from Mt. Pleasant and the university – and I couldn’t find a better situation for my current financial state.
Classes have now been in session for a week and a half. All is going very well and I anticipate a productive and enjoyable four months. My dealings with other music faculty have been on friendly terms. Most are very busy with their work, but take time to voice their greetings and support. As you might remember, the appointment is only one-half of a load – so I have begun practicing, in the free time that I can find, to prepare for lessons on piano and cello. I will be studying with two colleagues and anticipate their words of wisdom to be enlightening. My goal is not virtuosity, but I do hope I can attain facility on the cello and progress on the keyboard.
I am anxious to tell you of the orchestra. It certainly is better than the Alma orchestra (which is not saying much)[.] With the exception of the college violin professor and several community violinists, the orchestra is a student ensemble. Dan Rizner, the violin teacher, is great to work with – he received his master’s degree in performance from Eastman at about the same time I finished my master’s degree work at Iowa. We have had two full rehearsals, as well as several string sectionals, and I have a very good working relationship with the musicians. The first concert’s program (Feb. 22) is as follows:
Meistersinger Prelude
Atmospheres
Lt. Kije Suite
Schumann Piano Concerto
The first three works pose no extreme difficulties, however, I am anxious concerning the concerto. We have read through the entirety without the pianist, and this weekend I will have a session with her to insure [sic] that we will be in agreement on tempos, liberties, and so forth. The third movement is the challenge for me – I have grouped the measures into phrase structures (usually 4 measures to a phrase) but there is one section, which comes twice in the movement, which eludes me. Still in question are both the phrase structure and the relationship of the orchestra (usually just strings) to the piano. I hope that a thorough study of the notes will reveal secrets of this enigma.
The programming plans for the orchestra’s second concert have not yet solidified. I am considering a work for brass quintet and orchestra composed by a faculty colleague, a suggestion by the faculty voice quartets to do songs/arias/quartets with the orchestra, and an offer by the faculty piano trio to do the Beethoven triple concerto. The orchestra has not performed any big symphony this year, and so, for the students pleasure and experience, we might opt for Tchaikovsky Fourth (or something similar) instead of the accompaniment for the Beethoven “triple.” I certainly is wonderful to have the ‘horses’ to be able to consider such programming. As you can tell, I am pleased with my present position, despite the fact that it could only be temporary. I am looking for possibilities for both this summer (do you think festival/[…]s are worth the time and money…?) and fall employment. I have not heard anything from Ashville [sic], N. C.
Well, Maestro, I, too, wish you the best for a good year. It should be wonderful to begin with Brahms and the Starker duo. I have tentative plans to return to Iowa in the middle of March – during our winter term break. If this does come about, I will certainly contact you. Give my best to Sissy and Pearl.
It was good to speak with you in November & December.
Thanks for your support.
Todd.