Leigh Mesh
I will attempt to write about my experience with George Trautwein, but those that know me, know I am shy and introverted, so bear with me. George was always involved with our family, I knew him years before I actually got to be his student. He came to my bar mitzvah, and thought I had talent. He was always trying to persuade me to join the choir. Finally, after summoning the courage to make a small break from my “tough guy” friends, I agreed to operate the spotlight for Carousel. I had not yet joined the choir. In a matinee performance in the LGI, I was instructed to drop the screen after the show-stopping soliloquy, then turn the house lights on. Robin Dawson wanted to help at the show so I let her work the house lights. I thought I instructed her clearly as to when to turn the lights on, after the screen came down fully, but about 1 second after Glenn finished the Soliloquy, Robin turned the lights on! Dramatic climax destroyed! 1st act ruined! Glenn looked up in shock and surprise. I immediately looked at Trauty behind the piano on stage. I will remember his eyes locking onto mine for as long as I live. Never had I seen rage like that, and I haven’t since. I braced myself for what was to come. When Steve Cohen and I went to him as summoned, I saw Trauty in his glorious fury, all directed at me, and some at Steve (he was manning the other lights). The rest is history. I wanted to be Billy Bigelow. I had to join the choir, but in reality, I wanted to be with George whatever he was doing. I was as drawn to him as you all were. He pushed me and supported me with all my wild musical schemes, including making me take my bass to North Carolina and play for an audience after only playing for a few months. Steve Cohen accompanied me (again Steve). It must have been god-awful, because I couldn’t really play yet, but it was a great experience for me to do that. Now here I am, all these years later in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, married to my beautiful wife, Nancy, violinist in the MET, with our two wonderful kids. All was not storybook though. There were a few rough patches along the way. It seems melodramatic to be able to trace one’s path and credit one person with such a huge influence on your life. He ignited the spark in me, which led me to the present. I was directionless until I finally entered Trauty’s world. Sorry for writing so much, I could write a novel about George Trautwein. Rest in peace, wonderful, charismatic, passionate, loving, brilliant man.
I will attempt to write about my experience with George Trautwein, but those that know me, know I am shy and introverted, so bear with me. George was always involved with our family, I knew him years before I actually got to be his student. He came to my bar mitzvah, and thought I had talent. He was always trying to persuade me to join the choir. Finally, after summoning the courage to make a small break from my “tough guy” friends, I agreed to operate the spotlight for Carousel. I had not yet joined the choir. In a matinee performance in the LGI, I was instructed to drop the screen after the show-stopping soliloquy, then turn the house lights on. Robin Dawson wanted to help at the show so I let her work the house lights. I thought I instructed her clearly as to when to turn the lights on, after the screen came down fully, but about 1 second after Glenn finished the Soliloquy, Robin turned the lights on! Dramatic climax destroyed! 1st act ruined! Glenn looked up in shock and surprise. I immediately looked at Trauty behind the piano on stage. I will remember his eyes locking onto mine for as long as I live. Never had I seen rage like that, and I haven’t since. I braced myself for what was to come. When Steve Cohen and I went to him as summoned, I saw Trauty in his glorious fury, all directed at me, and some at Steve (he was manning the other lights). The rest is history. I wanted to be Billy Bigelow. I had to join the choir, but in reality, I wanted to be with George whatever he was doing. I was as drawn to him as you all were. He pushed me and supported me with all my wild musical schemes, including making me take my bass to North Carolina and play for an audience after only playing for a few months. Steve Cohen accompanied me (again Steve). It must have been god-awful, because I couldn’t really play yet, but it was a great experience for me to do that. Now here I am, all these years later in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, married to my beautiful wife, Nancy, violinist in the MET, with our two wonderful kids. All was not storybook though. There were a few rough patches along the way. It seems melodramatic to be able to trace one’s path and credit one person with such a huge influence on your life. He ignited the spark in me, which led me to the present. I was directionless until I finally entered Trauty’s world. Sorry for writing so much, I could write a novel about George Trautwein. Rest in peace, wonderful, charismatic, passionate, loving, brilliant man.
