So our neighbor is playing his cello with the door open and hes not good, his dogs are name cello and oboe…you dont see me naming my dog guitar…or kazoo…where was I…oh yeah, SHUT YOUR DOOR WEIRDO.
The Mozart Effect — the notion that listening to classical music will turn your infant or toddler into an intellectual titan — has been largely debunked. But a growing body of research suggests music can play an important role in certain aspects of health care, including pain management.
A newly published study from Mexico reports repeated listening to certain classical works — including one by Mozart — helps ease the debilitating symptoms of clinical depression.
Of course what I’m really looking for is something that will cause me to have a great desire to go out and work in my yard. I wonder what music would do that?
He Sings, He Conducts (and He’s Not Bad on the Oboe)
I heard Mr. Owens sing in both Dr. Atomic and Porgy and Bess. He’s a wonderful singer … and I believe a wonderful singer should play a wonderful oboe. Yes. That’s what I think.
Mr. Owens is formally part of the American Academy of Conducting in Aspen. The conducting students have an orchestra dedicated to them, providing a rare chance to work with a stageful of musicians. They receive lessons from the staff, this year Hugh Wolff and Larry Rachliff, and tips from visiting conductors. The students perform every Tuesday before an audience.
Other established musicians who have studied conducting at Aspen include Ward Stare, a former principal trombonist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago; Peter Biloen, a former violist with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic; and Luis Biava, the principal cellist of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The students are required to play in the ensemble. So Mr. Owens said he bought an oboe a year ago after a 20-year hiatus and began practicing furiously and making reeds in preparation.
When I am conductor of the CSO, oboe players will be required to play the solo from “I Believe I Can Fly” on every orchestral audition.
So now it’s on to the four performances of L’Elisir d’Amore.
Four years ago the same conductor, Martin Katz, was here. I had to cancel out on a rehearsal because I was sick. This year I don’t have to cancel out, but I do have a stupid cold. Sigh. Last night I had a few coughing spells, but otherwise I survived. Now I’m on to the constant sniffly stage. Not fun when one is playing oboe, but what can ya do?
The opera is easy for second oboe (as I’ve told readers earlier) but it is certainly not easy to play as softly as required due to the non-pit. Last night a colleague asked an audience member (they bring in donors and others for the dress rehearsals) how the balance was and she said we did still cover up the singers at times. I can honestly say I can’t play any softer, and I already have a swab in the bell to mute the sound. I could play “air oboe” if necessary, though. That doesn’t even require a good reed!
The conductor, Martin Katz, has been a pianist for a number of singers, including Marilyn Horne. From what I can see, I can’t put up anything with Horne, as all the YouTube videos request I don’t embed them. So here are some links from his younger days:
Rossini: “Se il vuol, la molinara”
Copland: Simple Gifts
Saint-Saëns: “Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix”
… and of course there are more.
Here is an interview with Martin Katz:
Part 1:
Part 2:
PLZ PLZ LOOK I NEED AN OBOE?
Hi,
I am a music student and i play clarinet and I’m looking for an Oboe for under $1000. I don’t care if you say that it is bad quality. I just want an oboe. Give me specific links that take me to the page of the oboe. Or if there are any rental links please tell me.
Maybe he’s just looking for a lamp stand oboe? I hope so.
I read it here.
… because I missed this cultural retreat for plants drop off date:
SATURDAY, July 31st
Houseplant Vacation – Plant drop off
11am- 6pmThe Hammer invites you to give your houseplant a vacation during our August cultural retreat for plants. Throughout the entire month, participant’s plants will be installed in the light flooded Lindbrook terrace, and presented with a series of readings, performances and musical events, for plants every Saturday from 1-4pm. Check back for the full schedule and for information about plant portraiture by Lisa Anne Auerbach. (Please no sick/infested plants – this is a vacation, not rehab)
Plant drop off is July 31, 11am- 6pm and pick up August 28, 11am- 6pm ONLY!
You can download the plant release waiver here and fill it out before you come to the museum or you can do this when you drop off your plant.
Free for plants. Hmm. I think this is some sort of discrimination. Not sure what it’s called, though. (Or maybe it’s free for humans too?)
