Player Portrait

Gayle Budd O'Grady

Cello

First season with the Oregon Symphony:

1976-1977

Most influential teacher(s):

My most influential teachers would have to be my parents, who did not rely on canned music for inspiration or distraction. Whether vocal or instrumental, music in our family was LIVE. I credit Ira Lehn with opening my eyes technically. But beyond the physical requirements of the instrument, Gabor Rejto always conveyed an emotional content, which appealed to strung-out violinists as well. In college, the orchestra conductor, Daniel Lewis, brought consistent enlightenment to any piece that was performed; working on Mahler's 10th Symphony was like a religious experience and Richard Strauss' "Death and Transfiguration" was positively earthshaking for this budding musician!

Earliest musical memory:

As I said, music in my family was not an objective experience and not only in the home. As a young child (as early as I can recall) there would be heard part singing as we drove home from an evening's visit with relations. The duration of the car trip was usually just long enough for a run through of everybody's favorite, "Shine On Harvest Moon" … how romantic!

"I first knew I would make music my career when ... "

I got a job. No bells went off to alert me, rather, I just grew up with music and no other interest was stronger.

"Other than performing music, I've always thought it might be fun to be a ... "

Philanthropist, or another type of performer — a singer — if "fun" is being able to lose oneself in one's art.

Favorite composer and/or period?

The Romantics, (i.e. Brahms, Dvorak, etc.) seem like an obvious choice for a cellist. Personally, I love Beethoven. Where Romantics can bog down in performance practices, Beethoven's music is regenerative. If I come to a rehearsal in the morning feeling less than inspired, Beethoven is like a tonic.

What does this photograph say about your life?

Yoga has been part of my life since I first read a book about it while babysitting in high school. As a professional musician, yoga helps me with posture, balance, breathing and combats strained nerves. I feel that it increases my strength and flexibility, two conditions that underscore overall satisfaction in playing; mentally, yoga creates harmony of mind and spirit.

What do you enjoy most about performing?

Musical performance is almost like magic. It works in ways that are difficult to measure but you can feel its effects. Part of the wonder of performance is in the playing, the other is in transmission of the feeling to the audience.

Other than playing great music, what do you see as the Symphony's most important role?

In the mission of presenting musical experiences, the symphony (along with all other performing and fine arts) is a cornerstone of a civilized culture. We are not sustained without the arts.

What is your favorite part of being a member of the Oregon Symphony?

I love the feeling of being a working part of the process — where my part enhances another and vice versa. Because of where I sit within the orchestra, I can hear our principal string bassist and at least one violist very clearly, providing great harmonic support and rhythmic impetus. Now if I could only hear the violin parts so well!

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