While walking I sometimes listen to a recording of Bluebeard’s Castle. I have been doing this since it was announced we were doing the opera, in fact. When I first started investigating it I most definitely heard English horn, so I assumed I’d sit in that chair, since it is orchestrated for two oboes and English horn. But no … we are doing the chamber orchestra version. I will now be playing second oboe and English horn. And that’s fine. But I prefer to listen to the version we are playing and I wasn’t sure where to find that.

Today, while on my walk, I checked out Apple Music. And what did I find? Heh. A jazz version. Now don’t be getting all hot and bothered. But prepare yourself, okay?

I liked it!

Here is the start:

I’m normally not much of a jazz person but, honestly, this appealed to me. So I guess some may think less of me. But that’s okay. I can deal.

After my (somewhat short) four mile walk I got home and was determined to find a chamber version of the opera so I could study my part better. (The original had some of the English horn bits I heard on clarinet, and I’m sure there were a ton of other changes as well.)

BINGO!

I found a YouTube video of it and I’m currently at Door Three. I’ll move on later. It’s lunch time now!

Radio Filharmonisch Orkest
Karina Canellakis [dirigent / artistic director]
Rinat Shaham [mezzosopraan]
Gabor Bretz [bas]

Oh … and Bob Hubbard … NO low trill as far as I can see. Now if only I could manage flutter tonguing on EH, which is does call for.