I just read of Philip Langridge’s death. Such a loss.
I played oboe in my high school band (go Lynbrook!), in San Jose Youth Symphony (a bit sporadically), El Camino Youth Symphony (again, somewhat sporadically), some group on Los Gatos or Saratoga (with adults, so I’m assuming it was a community group), the Fremont-Newark Philharmonic (ditto with that group, although maybe it was semi-professional?), and, finally, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO). I only began with PACO in the summer before my senior year. They had never had wind players as actual “members”, but after that summer they decided to allow two oboists and two French hornists. I played principal oboe for the year, and it was an incredible learning experience. That group far surpassed anything else I had ever been in. And that group was a large part of why I continued in music. I haven’t heard them in a very long time. I’m sure it was well before the sad loss of the found of the group, William Whitson. But they have continued on, and it appears they are going strong.
Their upcoming concert features a man I’ve played with a number of times, and I encourage you to hear his fine playing, as well as what I am certain is very fine playing by the youth group.
Saturday, March 13, 2010 – 8 pm
Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall @ OFJCC
3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto MapPalo Alto Chamber Orchestra
Benjamin Simon, conductor
Peter Lemberg, oboePACO favorite Peter Lemberg returns with the oboe’s larger cousin, an instrument that is neither English nor a horn. Mozart’s beautiful Adagio is paired with Vincent Persichetti’s masterful Concerto for English Horn (1977), surrounded by two authentically English works: Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 6 plus the delightful English Suite by Hubert Parry.
Tickets are $15/general, $10/seniors (62+), $5/students (with ID).
Available on concert night one hour before performanceFor information, (650) 856-3848 | info [at] pacomusic [dot] org
The very next day California Youth Symphony has a concert. Two of my students are in that group, and I do plan on attending this concert. (FINALLY, a concert that doesn’t conflict with my own concert!) Conductor Leo Eylar was concertmaster of San Jose Symphony so many years ago now I don’t want to count them (makes me feel too old!). He also conducted a few seasons of a Nutcracker I used to play in at Flint Center. I haven’t seen him in … oh never mind! I don’t want to count those years either!
Symphony Orchestra Concert
at the Flint Center
Event Time: Sunday, March 14 at 2:30 pm, Doors open at 2:00 pmAdditional Info
The California Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leo Eylar, continues the 2009-2010 Concert Season with works by Higdon, Tchaikovsky, and Respighi, featuring the talents of soloist Stella Chen, winner of our 2009 Young Artist Competition.The March 14 concert will be at 2:30pm at the beautiful Flint Center at De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. Tickets will be available at the door.
Program:
Higdon, Blue Cathedral
Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto
— Stella Chen, soloist
de Falla, Three Dances from the Three-Cornered Hat
Respighi, Pines of RomeContact Info
For more information, contact the CYS Office at (650)325-6666.
One thing about Peter Schickele’s PDQ Bach stuff is you really have to play it well. And these young musicians do a great job!
And … um … HEY!
… and then there’s this, from just a few year back:
The second in the series of these … some will be student recitals, some not. Some will be advanced players. Some not. It’s really just whatever strikes my fancy!
From the beginning, we have spoken of the special Viennese qualities…. The way we make music here is… something that has a lot to do with the soul. The soul does not let itself be separated from the cultural roots that we have here in central Europe. And it also doesn’t allow itself to be separated from gender… Therefore, I am convinced that it is worthwhile to accept this racist and sexist irritation, because something produced by a superficial understanding of human rights would not have the same standards.
-Dieter Flury, flautist and current business director (a 1996 quote)
Good to read in the same article that they say there is no racism or sexism in the orchestra though:
Hellsberg said: “There is no racism and no sexism in the orchestra” and added that they are “ambassadors for Austria”. He noted “the mathematical disparity between, for example, female flute students and the orchestra” and said “it must be addressed” but added that “playing for both the State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic makes it very difficult for family life”. He pointed out “two more women have been confirmed”. He also pointed out: “In the first violin section we have two half-Japanese players.”
The orchestra’s spokeswoman added: “Perhaps women are just not as ambitious as men.”
Okay. I’m going to stop now. I want to go eat bon bons and watch some soaps.
Or maybe I’ll make my latté and teach three students.
We’ll see.
The full orchestra has been replaced by folksy instruments such as the banjo, oboe and mandolin.
Found here.
The article is about indie artist JoannA Newsom. I’ve heard people rave about her. (I think Alex Ross was one who mentioned her in a positive way.) While she’s not quite my cuppa, that’s probably just okay; I’m kind of old and she’s kind of not. So why should she be my cuppa, right? But still, I’ll give her a listen and see if the music grows on me.
Sorry to say I couldn’t find a YouTube video with the “folksy oboe”. Oh well. But she obviously loves clothes! 😉
