Jason sought the Golden Fleece, Ahab searched for the white whale and Psyche searched the world over for Cupid.
Bob Burks, principal oboe for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, is on the hunt for the perfect reed. Burks, who is second to only Concertmaster Don Zimmer as the longest tenured principal with the CSO, makes his own reeds, something he has plenty of practice doing since they don’t last long.
Burks said he once made a “freak reed” that held on for 19 shows while he was touring Germany, but it eventually split in half prior to the final concert.
Burks said he is constantly purchasing and making his own reeds from cane he buys from France. He often performs this task while watching a Hallmark movie.
I read that, and more, here.
& I’ll just end with this:
People ask all the time what is the most difficult instrument to play and the oboe is mentioned a lot. I don’t agree with that because they are all difficult to learn and perfect. The crazy thing about being a musician is that you are always in search of perfection and I don’t think it exists. I’ve never left the stage thinking that was perfect.
Yep.
