There are times when I write things and later regret them. Something Dan has suggested to me many times — something I’m very slow at putting into practice — is to wait before speaking or writing at times.
Yeah. There you go. Waiting. That’s a problem.
There have been a few times I’ve been reprimanded [...]
A: It is the part of the instrument that is called the “embouchure”.
Q: “What is the mouthpiece?”
Hmmm. I would have wanted to answer “What is the mouth formation used when playing a wind instrument?” or some such thing. (I probably would just have said, “What is the mouth?” knowing that didn’t quite say it [...]
Some people don’t react to music. Some feel … well … I guess it must be nothing. I’d hate to feel nothing. And I’m glad that music can make me fall to the floor in tears. I want that.
I enjoyed reading all of this but here’s just a snippet to get you going:
I clicked [...]
“You have to do things that are hard in life and not to forget,” she says. “With the opera, I’m saying I’m now here, and I speak in the voices of my friends who can’t speak for themselves.”
I was unfamiliar with the story of this opera. I’m guessing (hoping) I’m in the minority. (It’s available [...]
Am I all alone in the world after all?
Kidding.
Not one person attempted a guess or even asked me what my three sentences were from. I will try not to take that personally, assume no one reads this blog or, even worse, everyone hates me.
I said I’ll try … no guarantee of success. ;-)
Kidding. [...]
Really. Who needs big instruments anyway? An oboe is nice and thin. Easy to transport. No prob.
The passageways in the new Oslo Opera House may be lovely for the visitors, but if you want to carry large instruments through the narrow corridors and tight doorways, it’s apparently not so elegant.
(RTWT)
… and I finally learned how to put videos here. Woo hoo!
One very energetic young player! He really made me smile.
(I get annoyed with the ratings people give on Youtube. C’mon guys … you are rating a child, not a professional musician!)
There will be naked dancing girls, bungee ropes, a four-storey tower wreathed in fireworks and the theme from the Old Spice adverts amplified so that 18,000 people can hear it.
Puritannical music lovers should probably run for the hills: the stadium classical music gig is coming to Britain. O2 , the concert venue in the former [...]
I’m sure Symphony Strong is a good thing, and I know Columbus Symphony musicians will take any help they can get, and I truly wish them all the best. Truly.
But man, did I crack up when I went to the site. (Have your sound on.)
That sincere voice ….
Have a look!
But it’s already at $61, and I don’t think I want to pay more for it. Still, wouldn’t it be cool as a lamp? I think so!
Next year he’ll need to find something new. After seeing the picture here I’m wondering if he’s looking at a conducting career.
Discuss.
“It is easy for sopranos to give birth.” Surely that remains to be seen? “No, it will be an easy birth.”
I’ve had three children. Pardon me if I guffaw a bit.
There. I’m done now.
I wish Ms. Netrebko all the best, but you don’t know … until you know. Really.
RTWT
I’d put the picture here, but 1) it’s not mine and 2) I can’t put pictures on the blog any more. But check out Dan’s work. Really. I’d say he was great even if we weren’t married.
:-)
He’s home after spending a day at Yosemite, so who knows what we might see coming up soon [...]
I was trying to remember what piece Leon Fleisher played with us. Of COURSE it was the Ravel. For the left hand. Not the G major.
Thanks, DK! :-)
Blame it on Oldboe Brain™. K?
I
♥
Mozart.
That is all.
I just read via Steve Hicken’s listen that Henry Brant died yesterday. He was in San Jose a couple of times and there is even a recording that includes the San Jose Symphony. If I’m remembering correctly I wasn’t involved in the recording; I seem to recall no English horn in the piece. I was [...]
When I was visiting Kelsey & Mel I wanted to play her some music ideas for their wedding. I had forgotten to bring the CD I burned, so I had to play them from my MacBook. Not the greatest way to listen to music! But wait! Kelsey had a Airport Express Base Station! So no [...]
Rumors suggest that the Berlin Phil musicians aren’t happy, or maybe it’s just publicity to get people to pay attention?
Maybe the orchestra doesn’t like the way he stifles a cough …?
In any case, I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in an orchestra where what the musicians think matters completely. How ’bout that?
Did you hear that?
Me neither.
Thanks to The Standing Room I have learned that I really don’t have younger than springtime ears. Sigh. I like to think I can pass for younger. But, well, I can hear the 50 and younger** … and I’m 51!
So there.
Younger than springtime, they hear
Older than winter, my ear
So [...]
Bach brings me joy so much of the time. Yes, anguish too, but lots and lots of joy. I wish I was able to play more Bach. But since I don’t get to, I have to sit back and enjoy. You can too!
Clarinetist David Thomas has requested that I read his letter to Columbus at his site.
Other bloggers have mentioned the situation as well (see here, here and here for instance).
Having been in San Jose Symphony (RIP) since 1975, and having been there when it died, I feel for these musicians. Trust me, it is [...]
Last night, near the middle of the first act of Magic Flute, between two numbers, someone yelled out, “Is there a doctor in the house?” I didn’t see any reaction from the conductor, but I wasn’t looking right at him when this was yelled. We kept playing.
But my heart went to the floor.
I’m [...]
I have decided to join Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I think it would be a good idea, don’t you? And, well, I think they’d like me, too.
Yeah, it’s about that easy. And it’s a “perfect job for … musicians.”
Well … for THIS anyway:
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
posted 04/25/2008
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Join our record-breaking telephone fundraising team! Perfect [...]
I sometimes talk to my students about how different oboists can sound from one another. I want to bring attention to this site … go there and look at the number of well known oboists from around the world. Have a listen to the various clips! Can you hear the differences? I’d love to see [...]
I don’t often do these, but T sent me this:
Hi, Friends-
Elaine Fine from Musical Assumptions sent me this. No hard feelings if you’re not the meming type. If you do feel like playing (it’s fun), here it is:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the [...]
