31. May 2008 · Comments Off on MQOD & More · Categories: Links, Quotes, Ramble, Symphony

I wish we could stop the clock now, so we wouldn’t have to end; but I promise, I hope, this will not be the end, but only a hiatus. We’ll be back! Sometimes, you have to lose, or almost lose, what you have to appreciate it.

-Marvin Hamlisch, at the final concert scheduled for Columbus Symphony, read here

I didn’t play the final San Jose Symphony (RIP) concert. I had a conflict, although I no longer remember what it was. I must confess, though, that I’m sorry to have missed it. I think that I might have had more closure. Maybe. Maybe not.

All those years of San Jose Symphony, and now the memories are so few. It really seems like a dream.

My heart go out to David H. Thomas (principal clarinetist) and all those in the Columbus Symphony. When our symphony folded it was like a death, and it still hurts when I think about it. I enjoy Symphony Silicon Valley, and I’m grateful for it, but I doubt it will ever be the job that SJS was, and I’m not willing to risk my heart again. That’s for sure.

31. May 2008 · Comments Off on This Just In · Categories: Concert Announcements

Calling all New Yorkers!

I just received this email from my brother (and very fine bassoonist!) Timothy Emerson:

Friends:

Last night’s concert was a grand success. If you missed it, how about coming tonight! Come hear some wonderful chamber music in the beautiful Grace Church Chantry at Broadway and 10th Street!

The show starts at 8pm. Doors open at 7:30pm. To reserve tickets at $15/each, call 917-698-8415 or reply to this email.

Program:
Rossini: Sonata IV for Woodwind Quartet
Barber: ‘Summer Music’ for Woodwind Quintet
Bruhns: Cantata ‘Mein Herz ist Bereit’ for Baritone, Solo Violin and Basso Continuo
Beethoven: Quartet in A minor, Op. 132

Players:
Jorge Avila, violin
Alexander Sharpe, violin
David Gold, viola
Sarah Hewitt-Roth, cello
Reva Youngstein, flute
Caroline Park, oboe
Christopher Cullen, clarinet
Timothy Emerson, bassoon, Artistic Director
Maria Harrold, horn
Joshua Parrillo, baritone
Patrick Allen, chamber organ

Polly Holliday, producer

Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 at the door.

If you go, tell him I sent you! 🙂

31. May 2008 · Comments Off on C’mon Man, Make Up Your Mind! · Categories: Oboe, Videos, Watch

I had blogged earlier about the “English horn player for Obama” (trying, as well, to give equal video time to other candidates).

Well GUESS WHAT?!!

The guy has changed his mind!

I mean … really now … can’t he be consistent and stay with one thing? Geesh.

Changes. Sigh. I’m not good with changes. (I suppose it’s the control freak in me.) So where does he stand now, you wonder? Check it out:

31. May 2008 · Comments Off on Wondering · Categories: Videos, Watch

From Britain’s Got Talent:

Classical music babes Escala, from London, won the public vote with a dramatic rendition of the James Bond theme Live And Let Die.

(Read here)

So my question: what makes them “classical”?

I’m not saying they aren’t good (I didn’t listen to the whole thing). I will say they are sexy, beautiful, thin and young. And they do choreography while they play.

I am not sexy, beautiful, thin or young. And I don’t do choreography. Even when I’m not playing. 🙂