oboeinsight

Rehearsal Schedule posted on the wall for tonight’s rehearsal:

Higdon

Tchaikovksy

Borodin

Prior to the start of the rehearsal I warmed up on oboe. About five minutes before we were to start I thought, “I might as well toot a bit on the English horn.” So I played a little bit, and then packed it back up. After all, the Borodin wouldn’t be played for about two hours!

The maestro came in, stood on the podium, and said, “Borodin.”

Say what?!

Well that was quite the way to begin. I had to quickly unpack the instrument again, pull out the reeds, and move over a chair (no second oboe is on the Borodin). The first notes in the Borodin for me are my solo, after waiting something like 43 measures.

Needless to say, my heart rate was a bit speedy for a time.

I was actually glad to play it first, although I would have preferred to know it ahead of time. The order of the program is Borodin, Hidgon, and then Tchaikovsky. And that’s the way we rehearsed it. I like dress rehearsals to go that way.

So no complaints. Just a surprising way to begin the evening!
—–

Some readers may notice that I am somewhat self-deprecating at times.

I just want to point out that that is better than being self-decapitating.

Or is it …? 😉
—–

“In classical music it’s all about the composer, so it’s very indulgent,” he says. “In rock music, there’s no excuse. If you don’t make a connection with your songs, it’s your fault and it’s your music. That’s what fascinates me about rock music; it’s the great equalizer.”

So some of the younger generation (I still can’t believe I’m not included. Go figure!) are forming new sorts of orchestras. They are reaching out to new ears. That’s okay by me. I say go for it.

Just don’t ask me to play carrot or caulifower, pierce my tongue, or try to play hip hop.

Hmm. Guess I am too old and jaded for these guys!

One group is called the Ambitious Orchestra. And everyone knows we oldsters have no ambition. 😉

Speaking of which, I’m on a double reed mailing list. (Two, in fact. Both can be a pain in the neck, as some folks always have anger and politeness issues, and of course there are plenty of egos.) Someone wrote, saying that German orchestras only accept musician auditionees who are 30 or younger. Can this be true? Anyone out there know for sure? Ouch.
—–