You know it’s going to be a good gig when immediately before it you go to catch a folder that’s crashing to the ground and in turn let your oboe crash against your body, thus splitting from top to bottom your amazing reed. And I say again, it’s time for holiday break.
(Found before the holidays — I do hope this Facebook person had a nice break!)
Is it too late to learn oboe in 9th grade?
I wanna learn oboe next year, i’ve had 2 years of experience on the clarinet and i’ve had half a year on violin and have musical experience, especially in music theory, and i want to joing my school’s symphony but the teacher told me they only accept the best, could i be good enough by 11th grade?
Fortunately the answers were positive. I remember having a student ask me if she was “too late” for oboe when she was even younger. My answer? If you’re still breathing it’s NEVER too late!
I was sorry to read this:
After nearly 40 years on the concert scene, German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff has decided to retire from singing due to health reasons.
The news was first reported in the German news media on Wednesday and immediately spread across international outlets. It comes on the heels of Quasthoff announcing in September that he was cancelling the remainder of his 2011 engagements due to persistent laryngitis.
In a press release on his Web site (and reposted by arts blogger Norman Lebrecht), Quasthoff stated:
“My health no longer allows me to live up to the high standard that I have always set for my art and myself. I owe a lot to this wonderful profession and leave without a trace of bitterness. On the contrary, I am looking forward to the new challenges that will now enter my life. I would like to thank all my fellow musicians and colleagues, with whom I stood together on stage, all the organizers, and my audience for their loyalty.”
No further details were given on the nature of Quasthoff’s health problems. The 52-year-old singer was born with serious birth defects caused by his mother’s exposure during pregnancy to the drug thalidomide. He spent his first years in hospitals and was initially not expected to live long.
Ahhh, that voice! Incredible.
Norman Lebrecht has a link to his interview with Mr. Quasthoff.
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba:
YouTube Info: The famous Handel’s oratorio Solomon part: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. By the Radio Chamber Philharmonic and Radio Choir conducted by Kenneth Montgomery. Performed in the concert series, the Friday of Vredenburg on December 23, 2011.
But hey, if you want to watch and listen to the entire, 2 hour and 44 minute work Solomon go right ahead because it’s right here! No, I’ve not had the time to listen to it all yet. Maybe later, though. I’d love to find a way to watch this while hooked up to good speakers. Hmm. wonder if that’s possible with AppleTV. Anyone know? (Of course first I’d need an HDTV. Not there yet.)
Vredenburg Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht – Friday, December 23, 2011
Radio Chamber Philharmonic
Radio Choir
Kenneth Montgomery, conductor
Edward Caswell, choirmaster
Handel – Solomon
Solomon: Paula Murrihy, mezzo soprano
Queen / 1st Harlot: Dominique Labelle, soprano
Queen of Sheba / 2nd Harlot: Sherezade Panthaki, soprano
Zadok / Attendant: Thomas Cooley, tenor
Levite: Christian Immler, bass
I think im gonna flunk the test cos the oboe sounds damn funny
