Sometimes we have to remind a conductor to make sure we are ready to go between movements. We have to swab, and this is especially important in pieces like Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin. My guess is that the conductor (Esa-Pekka Salonen) forgot to check in with the principal oboist at the Proms recently. The oboe has to begin the movement which starts a little after the 12:00 mark on the first link for Prom 23 which you can find here. A “do over” was quite necessary. Ouch!

This not only is embarrassing, but can really throw the oboist and that is one tough piece.

Sadly, this is one of my favorite works and I’m pretty darn unimpressed with the performance. It’s not all together. I’m not thrilled with some of the tempi (I think the first movement should be a wee bit faster although I don’t think it has to go as quickly as marked), there was at least one odd rubato moment, and some of the grace notes aren’t properly placed. And the tone of certain players … well … I’m picky. Shame on me!

I don’t normally critique … I should be ashamed of myself. 🙁