Dr. Passal prepares for farewell concert
After delivering 3,358 babies in Virginia, Dr. Carl Passal recently retired from his medical practice. Now, after 32 years, hundreds of concerts and thousands of rehearsals, the good doctor is retiring from the Mesabi Community Orchestra. Passal, principal cellist, was a co-founder, president and archivist for the orchestra for over three decades. Their upcoming concert will be a celebration in his honor.
Last Monday I visited with Passal prior to the orchestra’s regular rehearsal to talk about the cellist’s many years as a community musician. He said the orchestra has provided him with two very valuable things: a musical outlet and a social outlet. “I’ve had so many wonderful experiences, tremendous memories,” Passal said.
“It’s a great pleasure for me to polish a piece of music, and then get to perform it for an audience. It’s quite a thrill, there’s nothing quite like it,” he said.
Dr. Carl Passel at a recent rehearsal. Photo by Jean Cole. He has a special fondness for the audiences he’s performed for over the years. “We’ve had such loyal audiences, very appreciative audiences. Sometimes, I look out, I see the looks [of joy] on their faces, and it’s a mutual feeling that happens across the foot lights,” he said.
Unlike some orchestras that rehearse just a few times and then perform, the Mesabi Orchestra rehearses once a week for their three annual concerts. “Our rehearsals are fun,” he said. “Lots of jokes and camaraderie. It’s an informal atmosphere, we’re not too starched and high brow.”
The orchestra attracts musicians from all over the Range, including Hibbing, Cook, Ely, Babbitt, Chisholm, Eveleth and Virginia. They number about 40 right now, from young to old. Over the years there has been over 200. “We’re a non-audition orchestra,” said Passal. “We accept all musicians who want to play, and we’re always seeking new members, especially strings.”
Passal is proud of the high quality of music that the orchestra chooses for their performances, and gives high marks to conductor Josh Aerie, who has been holding the baton since the winter of 2006-07. “Our upcoming concert has some very beautiful melodies, some really gorgeous stuff, and easy for audiences to listen to,” said Passal. He will be featured in two pieces for solo cello and orchestra: “The Swan,” by Camille St. Saens, and “Meditation,” from Thais by Jules Massenet. The pieces were chosen by Passal and are his farewell “swan song” to his orchestral friends and audience.
As I wrapped up my conversation with Passal, the other orchestra members started trickling in. Aerie asked the members if they minded my taking a few pictures during rehearsal – no problem. As they were settling in, tuning up their instruments, and gabbing a bit, I asked - if they would, please shout out one word that describes Dr. Passal.
These are the words that came forth from his fellow musicians: dedicated, precise, knowledgeable, leader, fantastic, professional, talented, our anchor, the rock, heartwarming, sweet. And, then, “indispensable.”
“No one is indispensable,” Passal said, shaking his head.
The cellist came up to me a couple times before the orchestra got down to business, to point out a few things. First, a tiny little girl who came with her mother. “See, I told you we have young people,” he joked. And a few minutes later, he wanted to point out that aside from himself, there were two doctors that were members of the orchestra. “There,” he pointed, “and, there. So, yes, if anyone wants to know, there IS a doctor in the house.”
Passal gave me his business card. It says: “retired physician” with three pictures: a set of golf clubs, a cello, and the planet Saturn. The first two were easy enough to figure out. “What’s with the planet?” I asked. “Oh, that’s the third thing,” he said. “Amateur astronomer.”
Passal and his wife are moving to the Twin Cities, where they will be close to their son and to all the cultural venues a big city offers. You can tell he’s looking forward to it. “But I won’t disappear forever,” he said. “I’ll be back.” And he will, as he continues to play with the Sound of Strings, a Duluth-based quartet that performs chamber music for weddings, parties, and recitals.
“I’ve been making music here with very fine people, I’ve made many friends who I will miss. Some I may never see again in my life,” he said. “I’m just very glad to have been a valuable part of the cultural life of our communities.”
