Episode 101: David Commanday

An interview with David Commanday, music director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.

David began his musical career at age six as a pianist and cellist. He is married to Karla; they have three children, all of whom have demonstrated exceptional musical talents.

He is a cum laude graduate of Harvard University, having majored in psychology, science, music and languages; the Vienna Hochschule fur Musik with highest honors in orchestra conducting and was the recipient of the Austrian State scholarship. David has collaborated with Rudolf Nureyev, Yo-Yo Ma, Monica Mancini, and Ellis Marsalis and has conducted for the Las Vegas Philharmonic, National Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, South Carolina Philharmonic and the Joffrey Ballet. He served as the music director of the 80-musician Peoria Symphony Orchestra and secured the following, among others, as its guest artists: Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Chee Yun, André Watts and Bobby McFerrin.

David describes his view of the preparation for a performance, his feelings during and after the completion of the performance, the intersection of psychology and music, the role of the conductor, the role of the orchestra and each individual musician, his views of classical music and the existence or absence of any spiritual connection between the musician and a higher power.