30. November 2011 · Comments Off on If Only … · Categories: Symphony

You know how you have “if only I had …” things?

No?

Well, I sure do!

My “if only” for today is: If only I had learned to double tongue when my brain was able to learn things like that.

Okay, maybe I can still learn, but so far it’s not clicking in, and I have to warn those of you who, like me, were blessed with a fast tongue that, along with all the other ways in which our bodies slow down as we age, our tongues slow down too!. Pardon me for yelling there, but I’m one frustrated oboist at the moment. And dear Zoltán Kodály was sure a mean old guy to give us those crazy fast passages. Really now.

Listen to 2:07 in to this (below) … the oboes are supposed to tongue that. I’m so thankful that at least one flute is playing there as well. Whew! AND it’s only 2 seconds of fear. Still, I want to play the darn thing. So the metronome and I are incredibly well acquainted, as you might imagine!

For something different, get a load of this group … playing by memory, no less. (But no oboes!)

30. November 2011 · Comments Off on Lowell Trio · Categories: Concert Announcements

I received this from the Janet Archibald. Hope some of you can make it (I’m working then, so can’t get there.)

Hi Everyone,
The days are getting shorter, the weather cooler and the holidays fast approaching, which means it’s also time for another Lowell Trio concert at the wonderful music club, Armando’s , 707 Marina Vista ave., in downtown Martinez!
Please join Janet Popesco Archibald, oboe & English Horn, Emil Miland, cello, & pianist Margaret Fondbertasse on Sunday December 18 , 4pm for our Winters’ Solstice program, featuring warm and wonderful music by composers both familiar and new.
Included are works by J. S. Bach, Manuel DeFalla and Michael Head & Margaret’s popular ‘guess the composer’ segment featuring yet another famous rock star’s attempt at composing a Classical style piece!
We hope to see you there,
Happy Holidays from the Lowell Trio!

30. November 2011 · Comments Off on FBQD · Categories: FBQD

Bassoon lessons and homework…I’m ready to go to bed now! 😛

(Gee, I ran out of oboe and English horn Facebook Quotes!)

30. November 2011 · Comments Off on TQOD · Categories: TQOD

I gotta practice the violin, piano, and oboe 2nite..

30. November 2011 · Comments Off on Advent: Day 4 · Categories: Advent

Gabriel’s Message – S:t Jacobs Ungdomskör, Stockholm, Sweden

In case you’ve missed earlier Advent posts:
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3

29. November 2011 · Comments Off on FBQD · Categories: FBQD

oh YEAH, english horn reeds?! Is that how you want to play it, huh?…Well i didn’t like you ANYWAY. I don’t NEED YOU….stupid things…

29. November 2011 · Comments Off on ACappellaTuesday™ · Categories: ACappellaTuesday™

Thomas Crecquillon (c1505-c1557): Cur Fernande pater
Vox Vagans

Why, father Ferdinand, why do you weep, mother Anna?
Ducal brothers, what is this new grief?
She who is dead to you, the bride whom Poland mourns,
she, Elizabeth, is married, never to die, to God.

29. November 2011 · Comments Off on TQOD · Categories: TQOD

In other news the lead singer from the band playing now is playing the electric oboe ¯\_(?)_/¯

29. November 2011 · Comments Off on Advent: Day 3 · Categories: Advent

Verbum Patris hodie (Anon., Sarum Antiphonal, 13th century), performed by Collegium Vocale Gent, conducted by Peter Dijkstra
From the Begijnhofkerk, Sint-Truiden (Flanders, Belgium)

The Word of the Father proceedeth this day from a virgin …

In case you’ve missed earlier Advent posts:
Day 1, Day 2

28. November 2011 · 2 comments · Categories: FBQD

I can’t tell you why I don’t practice my oboe when I know I should If you keep bringing me on a guilt trip every time you bring up the subject and make me look like the bad guy. >:(