Anthony Quartuccio brings 20 years experience to the South
Valley Symphony
For Anthony Quartuccio, music is a puzzle that he’s long wanted
to take apart and piece back together. The dark-haired maestro will
be putting together the puzzle pieces with the musicians of the
South Valley Symphony as he takes over as leader for the orchestra
when it begins its 33rd season.
Anthony Quartuccio brings 20 years experience to the South Valley Symphony
For Anthony Quartuccio, music is a puzzle that he’s long wanted to take apart and piece back together. The dark-haired maestro will be putting together the puzzle pieces with the musicians of the South Valley Symphony as he takes over as leader for the orchestra when it begins its 33rd season.
“When I was a teenager, I loved symphonic music,” Quartuccio said. “It was born out of a curiosity of ‘How does this work? How is it put together? Why does it excite me?'”
Quartuccio replaces long-time South Valley Symphony Conductor Henry Mollicone and the switch isn’t without its challenges. In planning the musical pieces for the coming year, Quartuccio had a disadvantage because his unfamiliarity with past programs.
“What I did because it was a transitional year, I looked at what was played the last four or five years,” he said. “I asked what worked and what didn’t work – what they wanted to do that they haven’t done before. I tried to sprinkle all of that in the coming season.”
Quartuccio, who has long been a friend and colleague of Mollicone, said his familiarity with his predecessor’s style should make the transition a bit easier. He has the benefit of working with the orchestra on occasion and conducted its last concert of the 2005-2006 season.
“I am looking forward to starting a new era for the group,” he said. “Henry and I are such dear friends that I know a lot about his style and he knows a lot about mine.”
The new maestro brings with him 20 years experience working with orchestras, big and small. He finished an undergraduate degree in music at Santa Clara University, where he taught for several years, before moving out into the world of professional conducting. He recently received an honorary doctorate degree in music from his alma mater.
The San Jose resident will continue his work with Opera San Jose and the San Jose Chamber Orchestra while he takes over as music director and conductor for the South Valley Symphony. While he will be busy juggling his responsibilities, he has several goals in mind for the South Valley music group.
“My job is part teacher, part taskmaster. I need to push them a little bit beyond what their limit is,” he said. “When that happens somehow that energy gets to the audience and they know that something special has happened.”
With a soothing, smooth voice, Quartuccio acknowledged that he needs to challenge his musicians just enough without turning them off to the music – especially when volunteer musicians are involved since they have to contend with full-time jobs in between rehearsals. But he said there is often potential in community groups such as South Valley Symphony.
“I like finding a place where there is untapped resources and talents,” he said. “The teaching component with a smaller orchestra is more of a paternal relationship. Motivation comes from guidance and energy.”
The new concert season will bring with it a mix of musical performances, some including solos from guest musicians.
“At least half the season should feature soloists, some from within the community,” said Quartuccio, who also has a pool of talented musicians from out of the area to draw from. “The first priority is [musicians] from the community because it brings local folks out to see them.”
The first performance of the season at the Gavilan College Theater in October will be what Quartuccio referred to as a sampler concert – one that features several shorter pieces of music, but he has high hopes for the end of the season in May.
“I want to do a major symphonic work as a rite of passage,” he said. “We will be doing Beethoven’s Fifth and they have not played that before.”
As he works with the musicians, gaining their trust and getting to know the South Valley Symphony better, he has high hopes they will be ready to perform the 45-minute marathon piece at Mission San Juan Bautista for a Mother’s Day concert in May.
“It will take the eight months or so together to get to that point,” Quartuccio said. “A lot is about relationships. They will know what expectations I set and I will know what they are able to do. We can grow into this.”
