Robert Langevin, Principal Flute, is looking forward to tasting some Spanish specialties!

How long have you been with the New York Philharmonic?

Since September.

So this will be your first tour with the Philharmonic?

That's right.

But you have toured before with other orchestras?

Oh, yes. With Pittsburgh and Montreal.

How many orchestra tours have you done?

I would say at least 15.

Have you been to Spain with an orchestra before?

Yes. The last time I visited Spain was in May.

Will you be visiting any cities new to you on this tour?

As a matter of fact there are a few places where I have not been. One is Zaragoza and another is Santiago de Compostela.

Do you have a special, standout memory from your orchestra tours?

I remember the first time I went to Leipzig about 12 years ago. It was the holiday season. We went into the Church of St. Thomas, where Bach had been the music director. When we walked into the church, the chorus and orchestra from the Leipzig Gewandhaus were rehearsing Bach's Christmas Oratorio, which we recently did with the same chorus. To walk into the church where Bach was the organist and kapellmeister and hear his music being played and sung by the groups he led was quite an experience.

What do you find most valuable about making an orchestra tour?

Probably playing the same program in many different halls and cities. Because of course every hall is different and some of the greatest halls are in Europe. I remember particularly a very nice hall in Spain. It is a very beautiful hall with great paintings and it is in Barcelona.

Do you speak Spanish?

Yes, I do. I took three summers of Spanish classes a few years ago, so that helps a little bit.

What are you most looking forward to about the Spain tour?

I am particularly looking forward to eating paella and drinking sangria. They are specialties of Spain.