We had our dress rehearsal tonight. That’s a LOT of tough music to play, to be sure. And now I’m exhausted. So perhaps I’ll sleep tonight. I can hope … and perhaps I can dream, too. Last night was one horrendous night, so nothing will beat that one. (I had blood work done yesterday. It turns out that I have low iron and something is up with my thyroid and who knows what else, so I’m hoping these things will be fixed and my sleep will be better. It could happen, right?)
I love the Beethoven. There are moments that really hit my heart. There are places where I just want to weep. (Why, when I’m in this sort of mood, do I want to say “weep” rather than “cry”?) What an absolutely wonderful work the 6th is, and what a joy and honor to get to play it.
I have a significant solo in the Amram. It isn’t the juicy, schmaltzy, main theme solo I was looking forward to on English horn, but it’s really fun to play. (There’s just something about EH that makes things so … I dunno … rich, I guess.) But the solo I do have is my type of stuff, really. Later in the work there is some jazz, some caribbean style music, and klezmer. I really do think the audience will like it, but of course time will tell.
The Janacek has one lick in it that is … well … do I dare say impossible? Sure feels like it. No one can relax during the work; it’s just major challenge. The counting is tough. There are tricky entrances. I’ve yet to play it perfectly. And yes, I’m nervous about it.
Between the Beethoven, Janacek and Amram I have a lot of concentrating to do, a lot of notes to play, and several reeds to use. There’s just so much playing I can’t trust one reed for everything. So I’ve been a nearly good girl and made some reeds that work. Amazing.
I think the audience will really love this concert. I hope so. I think Maestro Paul Polivnick (who is, according to this, “A favoite with Symphony Silicon Valley audiences and musicians” … hmmm … what is a favoite?) is doing a great job, and this is a concert that is a challenge to put together in three days (four rehearsals). I wish I knew how my playing is coming across to the Maestro and listeners. (I get compliments from colleagues, but I’m sorry to say I just assume they are being nice to little old me.) The Maestro hasn’t said anything negative, but he’s not said anything positive either. So of course I assume the worst. I’m smart that way. Or maybe it’s because I’m going through one of my typical phases that is full of feelings of inadequacy. You’d think by this age, and after nearly 35 years of professional playing, I’d be more comfortable with my playing. Maybe next year.
Sometimes I’m such an Oboe Baby.
But anyway, the concert isn’t all about me, even if it sometimes looks that way considering how I blog. So if you are a local, do consider coming!
