I Really Need To Stop Whining About MY Back!

01. March 2011 · Comments Off on I Really Need To Stop Whining About MY Back! · Categories: Repair Quickly!

Boston Symphony Orchestra music director James Levine has withdrawn from his remaining schedule this season because of illness.

The BSO said Tuesday that “ill effects from a recent procedure addressing his ongoing back issues, further complicated by a viral infection,” forced Levine to cancel the concerts.

The withdrawal affects a March 3-19 tour of New York and New Jersey. But the BSO says all performances, including Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and Kennedy Center appearances, will take place as scheduled.

On Friday, illness forced Levine to withdraw from a second straight performance.

I read it here.

FBQD

01. March 2011 · Comments Off on FBQD · Categories: FBQD

I think I might be qualified to add oboe to the list of woodwind instruments I can double on. 🙂

New York Philharmonic

01. March 2011 · Comments Off on New York Philharmonic · Categories: Auditions

ENGLISH HORN AND OBOE – 1 position
Employment to begin at mutually agreed upon dates based on availability of chosen candidates.
Applicants may receive information regarding this audition by sending a one-page written resume to this office.
DEADLINE: APRIL 24, 2011
Auditions will be held in the Spring and Fall of 2011.
Application information will be sent upon receipt of resume.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND RECORDINGS AT THIS TIME.
REPERTOIRE WILL NOT BE GIVEN OUT OVER THE PHONE.

I read it here.

ACappellaTuesday™

01. March 2011 · 2 comments · Categories: ACappellaTuesday™

I’m rather unfamiliar with Gesualdo. If I had heard this without knowing his dates (1566–1613) I would probably really puzzle over the era this was composed. And even knowing that I still puzzle over it!

TQOD

01. March 2011 · Comments Off on TQOD · Categories: TQOD

my oboe instructor is always telling me of the old days when orchestra musicians always had work, gig opportunities, etc.

Yes, that IS what I’m talking about!

01. March 2011 · 2 comments · Categories: Other People's Words, Videos

I just love this 2006 (?) video. According to the note below the video he says “practice” 20 times!

It’s good that he can laugh at himself, too:

I’ve recently had some lessons that have been a bit rough … I’m so hoping my students will PRACTICE. That really is what I’m talking about.

Read Online

01. March 2011 · Comments Off on Read Online · Categories: Read Online

… we started talking about the different reeds we’d seen (and I think my teacher has tried making reeds in all sorts of styles before settling on his hybrid… still learning, he says)… I don’t know whether it’s a fair conclusion but we also thought the different styles thing is a myth and that the different reeds reflected that…. with the possible exception of the US. Actually, that isn’t quite fair as I can think of a couple of US oboists I really admire and one of them sounds really different – but generally a lot of American oboists do sound rather samey to my ears. Technically very good and a nice clear sound but a bit samey.