Grammy Award-winning conductor John Nelson has had a storied career in classical music, but when his wife passed a few years ago, it took a toll on him. However, through faith, family, and music, he is finding that there was life after death.
“My two daughters have stepped into the vacuum and I am doing the best conducting of my life,” John said.
He is now delivering Berlioz’s works to audiences across the world, including our 2019 festival-closing concert, Romeo & Juliet, on Saturday, July 13 featuring the venerated bass-baritone Eric Owens.
For the Love of Berlioz
John Nelson is recognized as a great interpreter of the sacred music repertoire and vibrant performances of Baroque music. He also is a lover of opera, especially the brilliant French composer Hector Berlioz, whom he fell in love with early in his career.
His main project this year is completing a huge recording cycle of Berlioz’s major works in Europe: the Requiem in London, Damnation de Faust and Romeo et Juliette in Strasbourg, and the Symphonie Fantastique in St. Petersburg, Russia.
“[Berlioz] is widely misunderstood and misinterpreted, and I hope these recordings will help reestablish him as one of the greatest composers in the canon,” John said.
To prepare for his concerts, John studies the score as thoroughly as possible and reads all the commentary available, then digs deep within himself for the best interpretation he can muster.
“One thing I want people to remember is my artistry was as faithful to the composer as possible,” he said.
Work Off The Stage
When John is home in Florida, he enables projects serving the homeless through his church, as well as missionary causes.
John was born into a missionary family in Costa Rica whose goal in life was to serve the underprivileged.
Though different, John is a servant of sorts, communicating a composer’s emotions and narrative to the audience.
“Otherwise, what good is it to play to a wall?” John said.
However, his role has a bit more power, as he stands in front of many musicians who are required to follow his every gesture and demand.
“It is quite tempting to misuse that power and to behave as a dictator,” John said. “I have to constantly remind myself that I am a servant of the composer and a colleague to all my musicians.”
Berlioz’s 150th Anniversary
On the 150th anniversary of Berlioz’s death, John Nelson will conduct the Shakespeare narrative that the composer deemed “too beautiful, too musical” not to be performed. He will be joined by mezzo Sarah Mesko, tenor Colin Ainsworth, bass Eric Owens, OBF Orchestra, OBF Chorus, and UO Chamber Choir. Berlioz: Romeo & Juliet will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, in Silva Concert Hall.
Learn more about John Nelson.
Explore more breathtaking concerts at OBF 2019.