Have violin, will travel

Frank Song, 28, may work remotely as a software engineer, but when it comes to music and the arts, he is all about being there, in person.

With the flexibility to travel in his work, he seeks out concerts or museum exhibits in cities far beyond his home in Toronto. And while he’s at it, he takes along his violin to play chamber music.

We caught up with Frank on a recent visit to New York, where he was in town to see the Caspar David Friedrich exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. In between the exhibit and his work, he played chamber music with people he found through ACMP.

We wanted to know more about Frank’s musical life, and he graciously agreed to answer a few questions. 

– Bob Goetz

When did you start playing chamber music?

A workshop in Dallas in 2022 with the (Canadian) Rolston Quartet. Back then, in Toronto, I was playing with a lot of local orchestras (still do). Some members started inviting me to play but only on a substitute basis. Eventually I started hosting them in my home and became a regular organizer in Toronto.

How often do you play chamber music?

Almost every week, subject to my travel/orchestra schedule and everyone else’s.

How do you find other musicians to play with?

There is a fantastic group of amateur musicians in Toronto. Most (if not all) of us play in local orchestras. We often decide that seeing each other once a week is not enough, and we extend that to chamber music. I’ve also picked up the viola since there is always a need!

A favorite event for me is the Toronto Summer Music Festival, which runs an “adult band camp” in the last week of July. At the festival, coaches play with their respective groups, which makes it an amazing experience!

Where have your travels taken you?

In September 2022, I took my first European trip to Switzerland for the Lucerne Festival. The idea of staying somewhere for a week to see multiple visiting orchestras was more convenient than visiting those cities separately. Every day I took a train to a new city in the morning, and returned for a 7 p.m. concert. Could be the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic, all the great ensembles of the world.

Then it was all the musical capitals in Europe – London, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, Stockholm, Rome, too many to list – but wherever there’s an orchestra I’m always there.

In the U.S., I’ve frequented New York the most for Carnegie Hall – two to three times a year. And I’ve seen the other Big 5 orchestras – Philadelphia, Cleveland, San Francisco but not Chicago, though I saw them in Toronto.

What inspired your travels?

One of my best friends, who is a very fine pianist, embarked on similar expeditions before COVID. It inspired me to combine music and travel into one perpetual lifelong adventure!

What led you to join ACMP?

August 2023. My travels are almost exclusively inspired by a concert I’d like to see. When I am able to find people to play with on the road, and it fits with the concert schedule, I can make both happen at the same time!

What are your top three favorite pieces to play?

I do love whatever I play in the moment! Recently I have enjoyed these pieces:

• Beethoven string quartet, Opus 59, No. 3
• Dvorak piano quintet, Opus 81 (on viola!)
• Mendelssohn string quartet, No. 1, Opus 12

What is a happy chamber music moment for you?

Recently I hosted a potluck dinner and string quartet session and the other violinist brought her friend who was visiting from the Bay Area. We ate, chatted, laughed and played Beethoven’s Opus 59, No. 3 for our visitor. In the end, it was an intimate home performance on a Thursday evening, and was quite a musical treat!