By Sophie Nikitas

Nanette Goldman is principal viola for the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis. She is currently a violist with the professional chamber orchestra the Minnesota Sinfonia. Nanette plays regularly for the Orpheum, Ordway and Guthrie theaters. She is a Performing Artist for the Thursday Musical organization. She has had the opportunity to play with a variety of touring artists, including Josh Groban, Led Zepplin, and the Who. In addition to her musical talents, Nanette teaches Classical Languages to lucky Macalester students. “I’m going to take the term playlist in it’s most literal sense – that is my list of favorite things that I have played or do play, with a couple that I would love to do before I die. This is in no particular order.” Led Zeppelin “Kashmir” (played with Led Zeppelin on their ‘95 tour) Has a fantastic viola part and it’s Led Zeppelin. The Who “Pinball Wizard” (Played with the Who, a few times when they have been in town) It’s my favorite Who song. Tchaikovsky “Swan Lake” (played with the Bolshoi Ballet in 2004) Any Tchaikovsky ballet is great, but playing it with a Russian company and a Russian conductor is completely different than an American performance, and was probably my all time most satisfying musical experience. Leonard Bernstein “West Side Story” This is the most interesting musical score ever written in my opinion. The rhythmic and harmonic sophistication make it a blast to play, and never get bored. I would play it every day if I could. The two people I would drop everything to play with: Elvis Costello: He writes really clever string parts for his back up quartet. Eric Clapton: you know. The rest is really chamber music that I love to play whenever I get the chance: Shostakovitch String Quartet #3 So stark yet truly intimate. It’s a tear-jerker for me. Beethoven Op 59 string quartets (especially 1 and 2) A great balance of technical and musical challenges (and rewards). The 2 Brahms String Sextets The melodic and harmonic genius of symphonic Brahms in a smaller setting.