Musicians Behind the Scenes: Marvin Moon
September 26, 2023
Where were you born? I was born in Philadelphia.
What piece of music could you play over and over again? All of Beethoven’s string quartets.
What is your most treasured possession? Besides my family, maybe my baseball gloves.
What’s your favorite Philadelphia restaurant? When I lived in Center City, I went to Amada very often.
Tell us about your instrument. It’s a viola made in 1997 by Robert Brode of Maple Shade, New Jersey. It’s a copy of a viola that was once owned by our principal violist, C.J. Chang!
What’s in your instrument case? A lot of pencils, a lot of extra strings, photos of my family, drawings by my kids, and a very special painting of bamboo that my father gave me. It means so much to me that I had it tattooed on me.
If you could ask one composer one question what would it be? Mr. Berlioz, can I buy you a drink?
What piece of music never fails to move you? Schumann’s Second Symphony.
When did you join the Orchestra? September 2007.
Do you play any other instruments? I’ve blown through a trombone and bassoon at some point, but I don’t think it qualifies as “playing.”
What’s your favorite type of food? Anything but durian. I tried to like it, but it’s not working.
What books are on your nightstand? Dog Man and Cat Kid by Dav Pilkey (from my kids).
Do you speak any other languages? Korean.
Do you have any hobbies? Golf. I wish I had time to join a baseball or softball league.
Do you have a favorite movie? The Godfather.
When was the first time you heard The Philadelphia Orchestra? When I was nine years old. It was Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 led by Kurt Masur. I remember every note of it.
Other than Verizon Hall, where is your favorite place to perform? The Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and, of course, Carnegie Hall in New York.
Photo: Jessica Griffin