Yes. That’s where my mind is, as you might imagine. Then I read this and think of what an easy life I’ve had. Everyone dies. But I can’t imagine what this woman dealt with.
I used to feel that God wanted me to heal people through medicine. Now what I do is basically the same [...]
Jason Heath has a link to a story by a music librarian. (Warning: language in the second link.)
I can most certainly relate!
I was a music librarian for San Jose Symphony (RIP). I even punished myself by taking the job for a second bout some hears after the first mistake gig. I do have [...]
I’m currently watching the PBS broadcast of The Nightingale (Le Rossignol). I played the orchestral work a few years back, but I’d never heard the actual opera. I’m all for videos of operas and other works, and I’m extremely glad I’m getting to hear the work.
BUT … music is sound. So when they decide [...]
This blog entry talks about Daniel Levitin and his book … the one I was reading , and plan on reading more of as soon as I can wrap my brain around anything—real life has interfered at the moment.
Reading the blog did make me want to get back to the book. I’m a bit embarrassed [...]
Yet another loss. One of my favorite oboists, Cynthia Steljes, of Quartetto Gelato, has died of cancer. This is a great loss for the the oboe community, the quartet, and, of course, especially for her family.
Just to begin … and in no particular order …
How do you measure a year? (Out West Arts)
Apex 06 (Alex Ross)
Night After Night: Best of 2006
Jerry’s Top 10 for 2006 (Sequenza 21)
NPR: CDS - best Classical CDs of 2006 from WGBH
NPR: 2006’s Top 10 Classical-Music Discoveries, from WGUC
LA Times: Calendarlive.com - Best of 2006 [...]
Great gaping summer gap: A near-total lack of professionally performed classical music in St. Louis in July and August.
St. Louis isn’t the only city that lets all classical music die in the summer. I rarely work for a nearly 3 month period. It’s frustrating, but there you go. It reminds me of church, really; when [...]
You know the problem: we need a man for solo trombone.
- Sergiu Celibidache (General Music Director, Münich Philharmonic)
Thanks to Scott Spiegelberg for blogging about this. Ah the weak women who attempt to play a brass instrument. Silly girls. (I hope you know I’m being sarcastic!) Be sure and read the links Scott has provided. Simply [...]
I have horrible vision. Really. Awful. Can’t-leave-the-bed-without-glasses vision. It’s not fun.
And of course I need reading lenses as well. So there you go.
Paul Viapiano blogs about his recent experience. I know the struggle of adjusting to progressive lenses but, unlike Paul, I’ve managed to deal with them. My first experience (too early in my [...]
There’s a touching article about Lorraine Lieberson that’s well worth the read. (I might argue that she began her career even earlier, and was first known as a violist in San Jose, but oh well. I suspect it’s just because I want to lay some sort of claim on this incredible individual who carried with [...]
In other news, I’m now pursuing playing the oboe and harmonica (not at the same time, mind). I felt it was time to pick up something new. As soon as I have the finances, I’m going to look into picking up a bass.
When I read quotes like this I smile. It’s as if someone can [...]
Watching CSI (yeah, I know, I know, you’d think I’d watch only PBS) the CSI team is in the child prodigy’s room; she has a violin sitting upright, leaning against her chair. The bow is sitting on the chair.
Right.
That’s how a violinist would leave her instrument. Of course.
Sort of like the open house [...]
So … let’s see … I’m sure I’ve mentioned these before, but I’m sitting here pondering and I figured some might not have read these before:
There was the time one of the Russian dancers flipped his way right into the pit. No one was injured (unless they just didn’t tell us).
My English horn reed [...]
1775 - João Domingos Bomtempo was born (d. 1842). Portuguese oboist
Because I know you wanted to know.
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Here’s a headline for you:
Musicians exceed expectations
So how would that make you feel if you were a student and you received that headline for a notable accomplishment?
Me? I wouldn’t take that very well. But I don’t take a lot of things very well.
Article here.
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Perplexing problem plagues players
This was the headline in an article I just read about focal dystonia, and the alliteration is just plain annoying, don’t you think? And last I read, Klein’s oboe career wasn’t ended. His Chicago Symphony career ended, but he does still perform.
Just so you know.
My sites won’t work without power at our home. And our power was out for a very long time today. Crummy.
But I’m baaaaccckkk! ;-)
(For now; if we get the same wind tomorrow that we had today who knows what will happen.)
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Drew McManus writes today about musicians as adjunct faculty members. (Thanks, Drew, for the kind mention at your blog!) He included a link to Jason Heath’s blog entry about this problem. Jason actually quit two jobs because of the problems.
It’s true; we are often paid per student. (I’m pleased to say I am in [...]
On Pennsylvania Station’s main mezzanine, travelers are accompanied by string quartets and flute piccolos piped in over loudspeakers.
Okay … I know what a piccolo is, and I know what a flute is. But what the heck is a “flute piccolo”?
So this article tells of the different music folks are treated with at Transit Hubs, depending [...]
If you are interested in knowing more about the new English hornist in the San Francisco Symphony (I don’t believe he begins until this coming summer) you can read this article.
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… even when it’s named “Oboe D’Amor”.
LEGGY filly Oboe D’Amor did not raise the eyebrows of stewards when she won at Eagle Farm yesterday but that was not the case with Lasoron.
—–
There’s a nice article about Irene Dalis. Years ago her house was destroyed in a fire and a lot of treasures were lost. She has recently received a very wonderful gift.
—–
The malls fall silent. Streets are empty now
and restless children try to fall asleep.
The midnight service, candlelit, an hour
before is over. Silence blesses each
exhausted parent. Huddled on a couch
we whisper, wondering if the choices we
have made will satisfy: we think of how
we‚ve planned and shopped, and rest now by the tree.
But all the festive decorations, [...]
Maybe the angels didn’t sing;
melody wasn’t part of promise.
Wholly infant, unhaloed,
lies rag-wrapped.
Still the manger
cradles holiness.
But, for now, the baby cries
for human touch and breast.
One young mother reaches
for the child and the
adopted father
hands her God.
-Patricia Emerson Mitchell
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… no pit musicians?
The company’s premiere of Tannhäuser will star German tenor Peter Seiffert, while a new production of Weill’s Rise and Fall of the City of Magagonny draws from the musical theater world to feature Tony Award Winners Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald making their company debuts. John Doyle, who directed Broadway’s current, critically [...]
