By PHYLLIS A.S. BOROS
pasboros@ctpost.com

When Greater Bridgeport Symphony Maestro Gustav Meier stepped onto The Klein podium Saturday night to cap his 35th anniversary season with a concert version of Tosca, he did it as one of the state s most beloved artistic figures.

Although Meier s fame as one of the world s greatest teachers of conducting has turned him into a frequent globe-trotter, the Michigan-based conductor has always remained loyal to Bridgeport and its 65-plus-member nonprofit professional orchestra.

In return, the Swiss-born Meier is a favorite with audiences and musicians alike. And among Meier s most devoted followers are more than a dozen GBS musicians who have worked with him for a quarter-century or longer, and intend (as does Meier) to continue in Bridgeport.
The Connecticut Post recently asked a few of these veteran musicians for their thoughts on Meier s remarkable GBS tenure, which is one of the longest in the nation for an orchestral conductor. As a group, they paint a picture of Meier as an extraordinary musician and humanist a combination that they say is rare in the egocentric world of conducting.

Charlotte Moulyn of Stratford, cello: He s just unbelievable . . . a dream of a musician. That s why we have all stayed so long.
One day, way back when I was studying with [renowned Brazilian cellist] Aldo Parisot at Yale, I passed Gustav on the street a few blocks from the School of Music. He was one of the youngest professors at Yale at the time. I remember he was walking at a fast clip, almost a jog and he had his face buried in a score! That s Gustav, and that s how I'll always think of him.

James Ranti of Hartsdale, N.Y., principal trumpet: It seems like only yesterday that I auditioned for him [27 years ago]. I had been principal trumpet for the Montreal Symphony under Zubin Mehta, and I remember Gustav saying: Well, if you can play for Mehta, you can play for me. Gustav is very disciplined, but at the same time he s a nice guy.

Some conductors are mean and nasty, but not Gustav. He'll work you to the bone, but he knows your limitations as a musician, and he has this amazing ability to pull the music out of us, to make the orchestra sound like one instrument.

Leslie Frankel of Stratford, second flute: Working with Gustav Meier for the last 35 years has been a privilege and a joy. He not only has an encyclopedic knowledge of the music, but also a great sense of humor and humanity. He has made our orchestra into what it is today; a highly professional group and a family.
He is our teacher, our coach, and our leader. Like a good teacher, he is patient, kind, and understanding of the difficulties we as musicians face. . . . When he senses the energy flagging during rehearsal, he will stop and tell a joke or anecdote about himself, the composer, or the piece. Rarely, if ever, is an orchestra lucky enough to get a conductor who is both as excellent and as warm-hearted as Gustav Meier.
Alan Aurelia of Staten Island, N.Y., principal tuba. He studied conducting with Meier and is now music director/conductor of several New York groups, including the Tribeca Opera Co.: It s great being associated with Gustav. I've given up playing in most other orchestras, but I enjoy working with him too much to leave. Gustav comes to Bridgeport because of us; we come to Bridgeport because of him.

Gerardo Guerrero of Bloomfield, violin: This man is such a wonderful musician . . . music is fun with Gustav. [The GBS gig as conductor and artistic director] is not just a paycheck with him. That s what has kept us here.

Dorothy Straub of Bridgeport, viola, on hand for Meier s entire run: Gustav is a man of international renown, and yet he is so humble a priceless treasure. As a musician, he goes so far beyond the printed page, bringing every piece to life. As a person, he cares so much for the orchestra. His sincerity and love of the orchestra has fostered a wonderful camaraderie at the GBS and reflects how much of a family we are.
Bernice Friedson of Westport, violin, with Meier from the beginning, served as concertmaster from 1990-2000: Gustav has a marvelous way . . . of getting the most out of an orchestra. Because of him, we sound better than we have a right to with so few rehearsals. Gustav knows how to be productive at rehearsal, focusing on the particularly challenging or difficult passages, and he knows what not to fuss over.

Christine Kossodo of New Haven, cello (and a fulltime visual artist/potter): He s certainly the best conductor in the state and beyond. He chooses good music to play. Under Gustav, we have gone through much of the great symphonic literature. . . . As musicians, we really appreciate having new learning experiences, rather than playing the same old stuff. Milton Bieseigel of Seymour, principal bass, with Meier for the full 35 years: He s an amazing man, with such vitality! Gustav s a real taskmaster at rehearsals. He s demanding, but he never embarrasses anyone. His conducting is so clear, so perfect that his concerts always come off in thrilling fashion. In all sincerity I will say that I've performed with a lot of conductors [including those at the Hartford and New Haven orchestras], and Gustav is undoubtedly the best.

Robert Genualdi of Bridgeport, bass: It s just a delight to work with him; Gustav s musically demanding without being dictatorial or pedantic. When working with Gustav, it s almost like a collaborative endeavor.

Valentine Wolfe III of Newtown, trumpet: Although the orchestra includes many exceptional players, Gustav is the reason I have returned to the orchestra season after season. He is such an intelligent, gifted, caring music director and conductor who makes the orchestra want to play their best at all times. He continuously teaches and supports each of us in rehearsals and inspires us in performances. His patience and good humor should serve as examples for all conductors.

Many years ago I realized the truly great conductors are great teachers for their orchestras, and Gustav certainly serves in that capacity. As a public school instrumental music teacher for more than 30 years, I have tried to use many of Gustav's rehearsal and conducting techniques each and every day. Thousands of my students have benefited from Gustav Meier's musical insights over the years while never having ever met him. What a legacy!

Dr. Darilyn Manring of Redding, principal cello: I cherish so many fond memories of my 33 seasons performing with the GBS orchestra. No one could ask for a more loving mentor, more creative artistic director . . . I don t remember the exact year, but this happened in my earlier years with the orchestra. The legendary [bass-baritone] William Warfield s plane was detained due to weather. He missed the sole rehearsal and arrived in Bridgeport moments before the concert was to begin.

I can replay with acute accuracy the tone in Gusti's voice as he walked out on stage and announced to the audience: Ladies and
gentlemen: I have good news for you and bad news. The good news is that William Warfield just arrived. The bad news is that we haven t rehearsed. We proceeded to read through all of the arias without a clue as to how [Warfield] would interpret them. It takes an amazing trust on the part of soloist, orchestra and conductor to function under that kind of pressure. Nevertheless, the concert was a success.

Mary Drake of Norwalk, principal bassoon: Some conductors show up, keep the beat . . . and go home. That s not Gustav. With Gustav, we learn so much about music. And because of Gustav, this is a friendly orchestra quite collegial.

Kathie Sumrow of Bridgeport, piccolo and flute, with Meier for 35 years: He s the consummate musician, a musician s musician. He doesn't rely on histrionics or brow-beating. He s a special man who cares about the music and the musicians.

For information on the 2007- 08 season, contact the GBS at576-0263 or visit www.bridgeportsymphony.org.