Author Archives: Angela

About Angela

French hornist Angela Cordell Bilger enjoys a freelance career as a chamber musician, orchestral player, and educator. She recently moved to the Chicago area from Philadelphia where she was second horn with Opera Philadelphia. She plays frequently with The Philadelphia Orchestra where she spent the 2008-2009 and 2016-2017 seasons as acting fourth horn. She recently joined the Chicago-based Sapphire Woodwind Quintet and coaches chamber music at Northwestern University and Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. During her years in New York City, Angela performed with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and in many Broadway shows. In addition, she spent several summers at the Marlboro Music Festival and toured with Musicians from Marlboro. Angela has served as adjunct faculty at Montclair State University, Drexel University, and Temple University. She lives on the North Shore of Chicago with her husband, trumpet player David Bilger, and their two children.

A Lesson from Shakespeare

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Angela

One of the great joys of my musical life is hearing the perspectives of artists who work in other fields.  Painters, dancers, writers and actors have all enriched my own musical path.  Recently, my exploration has happily brought me to … Continue reading →

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Old World Society

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Angela

There is nothing so compelling as an old letter. My family has had in its possession a letter from Czechoslovakia to my great grandmother long after she immigrated to the U.S.  The letter carries the news of the birth of … Continue reading →

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Faraway Places

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Angela

I’ve been thinking about faraway places –  and trying to experience them via hot drinks.  At the grocery store the other day I saw a package of yerba mate, a deliciously earthy beverage from South America I used to drink … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Marlboro On My Mind

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Angela

I felt a twinge of nostalgia the other day as I opened my email and saw an update from the Marlboro Music Festival announcing the day of everyone’s arrival. Summer, for musicians, usually means music festivals of one kind or … Continue reading →

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Passing the Elbow to Get to the Thumb

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Angela

One of my favorite writers is the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke.  I’ve alluded to his Letters to a Young Poet here in my blog before.  There is so much richness in those pages, especially to someone living a life … Continue reading →

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Jeremy Denk’s “Every Good Boy Does Fine”

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Angela

Ever since I started this blog, I’ve come to appreciate even more how difficult it is to write about music and to articulate what it is that moves us musicians and inspires us.  So I was incredibly grateful and, to … Continue reading →

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Obsession

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Angela

Ruminations on the obsessions of Andreas and the role obsessions play in our lives. Continue reading →

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Wolfgang Sawallisch

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Angela

This past week Wolfgang Sawallisch, former music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, passed away.  This is not my story to tell.  I never met him or had the privilege of playing under his baton.  That being said, I have felt … Continue reading →

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Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Angela

Today we celebrate love.  Most often, we celebrate romantic love.  I am a girl who loves chocolate and flowers and sweet cards just as much as the next girl, but I also like to think of Valentine’s Day as a … Continue reading →

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Shostakovich

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Angela

It goes without saying that great music has the potential to transport us to a different world – a world with its own sense of style, preferred colors, and points of view.  A painting by Monet blurs our vision and … Continue reading →

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