One Down, One To Go

10. October 2009 · Comments Off on One Down, One To Go · Categories: A Musician's LIfe, Ramble

With opera it’s so long I can never type what I typed above. But yes, it really is one down, on to go … and tomorrow by 5:00 I’ll be finished with Ravel (and Brahms). And I’ll be sad and missing it the next day, I’m sure. Of course things move on … so at 7:00 tomorrow night I have a woodwind quintet rehearsal. The fun never ends!

So how did tonight go? Hmm. I think it went well. I’ve been told it went well, too. But of course I need to hear that a number of times before I really buy into it.

But I’ll be honest (!) and say this: I think I played well. I really do.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m uncomfortable saying (or writing) that sort of thing.

I ran into someone at the reception who missed the first half and he (jokingly?) said, “I’ll just have to check your blog to see how you did.” Or something close to that in any case. And of course then I worry! Do I write too much here? Duh … of course I do! Do I shock people with my insecurities? Probably. But I hope I also bring the reality of what we do closer to readers.

The musician’s life is a curious thing. Full of fear and bravery and insecurity and ego. It’s a very odd thing, really.

The Day Of

10. October 2009 · 2 comments · Categories: Ramble

“The Day Of” is a difficult day sometimes. The Day Of is the time when you can’t get the music out of your head. The Day Of you don’t get much of anything done, as you are waiting for the performance. The Day Of your stomach might be a bit upset. The Day Of you sort of want to play. But not too much. And you might want to avoid using the reed(s) for the evening, for fear that something goes awry and it breaks or otherwise rebels. And yet if you don’t use it you worry that you’ll get to the stage and find out that it rebelled because it had been ignored all day. So you use it … but not too much. You hope. The Day Of you think of all the things that can go wrong, but attempt to focus on all that can go right. Usually the former focus is stronger than the latter.

Okay okay okay … take all the “you” and “yours” out up there and insert my name. Maybe you don’t deal with this the same way that I do, eh?

The Day Of is, in some ways, much more difficult to deal with than the actual performance for me.

Funny how that works!

I’ve been in this business since 1975, so I’m sort of used to The Day Of. But it doesn’t mean I don’t worry and don’t get nervous. Go figure. 🙂

For Your Saturday Morning Listening Enjoyment

10. October 2009 · Comments Off on For Your Saturday Morning Listening Enjoyment · Categories: Videos

Just some fun music!

MQOD

10. October 2009 · Comments Off on MQOD · Categories: Quotes

Certain harmonies and melodies have this odd pull on our heartstrings. They are like sad oboes or something, something that makes you want to throw all your money at the radio whilst yelling I love you.