So I’m Home …

06. June 2008 · Comments Off on So I’m Home … · Categories: Links, Ramble, Symphony

… and I had a nice dinner out with my family after the dress rehearsal of Rite. We rarely have daytime dress rehearsals, but we did this time. I liked that, knowing I’d have my night free.

But now? Well, now I’m in my robe already. I guess I’m so used to going to bed after a dress rehearsal that I feel like I’m exhausted out of habit. Go figure.

The Stravinsky is part of Beyond the Score, and from what little I could hear, it sounded quite interesting. It’s not easy for me to hear a lot of the talking, as I’m sitting behind the speakers, but I can hear snippets. I liked the “I know how to play it, but I don’t know how to write it,” or something like that, that Stravinsky said. Or at least I think that’s what I heard! I wish I had a transcript. (That might be a nice thing to offer to the orchestra members.)

I guess Chicago Symphony Orchestra does three of these each year now. Next year we are doing their Tchaikovsky fourth one. Maybe we’ll do one a year. I wonder.

Calling All Oboists!

06. June 2008 · 5 comments · Categories: Videos, Watch

Do my eyes deceive me?

Oboists, take a look-see. Maybe other musicians too. I don’t know if you’ll be puzzled or not. This is NOT to critique the player. I don’t do that with students, and I’m more than happy to hear student oboists. But look at the hands. Look at the keys. Does this appear correct to you? I’m confused!

(Or maybe this is why she’s given the oboe the name she gives it? Hmmm.)

If I Were Playing

06. June 2008 · 7 comments · Categories: Ramble

I’d assume this dog just hated what I did. But they are calling what he does “singing”. So … okay then ….

More Albrecht Mayer

06. June 2008 · Comments Off on More Albrecht Mayer · Categories: English horn, Flute, Videos, Watch

… this time on EH …

What amazes me is that he conducts nearly up until he plays. I’d be so worried about the sound and not being in control and all. And I’d probably crash my hand into the reed. But that’s just me ….

Too bad it cuts off in the middle of a phrase …

I see he’s using a neck strap. I do have one on when I’m standing, but I rarely put it to use (meaning it’s fairly slack most of the time) as it’s hard on my neck. I don’t use anything when I’m sitting. I just have this bizarre huge muscle between my right thumb and index finger and I don’t find the instrument too cumbersome. I always joke that when that when I stop playing that muscle will get all out of shape and sag to the floor. Well, maybe not to the floor …?

I note that neither soloist is smiling during this joyful music. We sometimes get criticized for not looking like we are having a good time. But even when we are playing joyful music we are busy concentrating and it’s work. Add recording session to that and you aren’t going to have a ton of smiles.