Oboist [name removed] seemed to be battling a faulty instrument but still found a strong identity in his important sections.
Hmmm. How very nice of a reviewer to allow for a faulty instrument.
The performance began with the announcement besieging the audience “To preserve the decorum of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, please turn off your damn phones!”
Ah, those Minnesotans!
I read it here.
OMG I used to play oboe. The dead duck of the woodwinds! *hides shame*
People are always looking for inexpensive oboes. Inexpensive oboes are … well … CHEAP. Meaning cheaply made. And they sound cheap. And you won’t be able to sell them for anything but cheapER. Don’t do it.
I just ran across this very sad little post (I’ll not link so as to save any embarrassment to the poster):
hi, my name is Kristen and i’m looking for an oboe for no more than $100.00. i can’t spen any more than that, i don’t care if the oboe needs repair..i just wan’t to know if anyone can help….
If you find an oboe for $100 or less just make a lamp out of it. Really.
Decent oboes are expensive. But decent oboes are cheaper, from what I’ve heard, than most flutes, bassoons and any fine string instrument. (Brass instruments — contrary to what I wrote before — are usually less expensive. That’s what I get for trying to write before I’m fully awake!) So look on the bright side. We aren’t the most expensive thing out there. And still we’re the best. 😉
Classical Music is not as popular today as it used to be. It has been around for hundreds of years and it is the oldest type of music out there.
If you’re going to play the oboe, you have to have elementary bravery or you’re
in big trouble. Some of them are nutty, wild and unreasonable. I call myself a quintessential Cleveland Orchestra player — orthodox, but zippy, and nonwacko. I hate wacko.”
-John Mack
