As I just wrote at my other site … I’m too tried to breathe. At least that’s the way it feels. I still have two students to teach today, though, and then it’s opening night for Beauty and the Beast.
I know some of my symphony colleagues think I’m a little off, since I like [...]
I’m guessing many of you have already seen this documentary and I’m simply behind the times, as usual. But in case you haven’t, here they are! They are all in German. I don’t speak much German, but I understood some of it. Maybe someone else will spend hours translating for us … eh?
The first one [...]
This is pretty funny. (I read about it first on this blog entry over at aworks.)
Readers might think I meant to write toothache, but that’s not the case. My teeth ache. Really. I’ve had so much playing in the past few days my teeth really hurt. I think I’ll avoid playing much tomorrow, although I’d sure like to get a few more reeds set for Beauty and the Beast. I [...]
Too darn funny! I had blogged about this some time ago, but I hadn’t posted the actual video. So I’m doing it now. Because I can.
For an even more bizarre use of the tune, try the Grand Theft Auto 3 ad:
In other news … I’m just home from the first of two rehearsals for [...]
I just cracked up seeing what Anna Netrebko wore to collect her award. It looks like she wanted to grab the prize for Female Artist of the Year and hit the hay.
Of course I remember how tired I was when I was pregnant with my kiddos, so I do understand.
Sort of.
(RTWT)
Okay. CattyPatty™ is [...]
Sometimes I misread what people have to say. That is absolutely no surprise to my friends and family. At least I don’t think they are surprised any longer. Here are some instances where patty gets it wrong:
“Nice outfit!” translates to “Well, finally she dressed properly.”
“Nice hair!” translates to “You usually look pretty darn unkempt.”
“Beautiful solo!” [...]
The neighbors are getting a new roof today. I thought it was noisy on Friday, when they were doing some prep work. Compared to today, Friday was nothing. So I suppose I can be extremely grateful that I have two rehearsals for “Beauty and the Beast” today. Even though the thing is a chop buster [...]
Fauré, Massenet … in honor of my husband, I’ll put the following video up. Not Fauré or Massenet … but Mr. Bacharach, who celebrates his birthday today as well.
Tee hee. Sorry, Dan! This is NOT one of Dan’s favorite pieces. One might say the opposite in fact. (And what this song had to do with [...]
Many of the best tracks in aggressive classical music are great introduction to the Classical genre for anyone who might be experiencing Classical music for the first time
I dunno. Just made me laugh. Not sure why. (Maybe one of you can explain that to me?) But anyway, you can see the list here. Perhaps you’ll [...]
David Bratman wasn’t as harsh as Scheinin. But his review isn’t completely positive.
Still, I guess he didn’t hate it, and he even writes that he’s not a Gershwin fan. So not totally hating it is a good thing, right? I know how I am when I go in to something not caring for a composer. [...]
… with Strike up the Band and Me (from “Beauty and the Beast”) as a sort of MedleyInTheHead™ is not a good sign for the day.
Is it?
I’m not sure why, but I hit the wall tonight. I’m so tired I can barely think! I was certain tomorrow night’s 3 1/2 hour rehearsal would do me in, since it follows a 2 1/2 hour symphony concert. But … ack! It’s too soon to feel this way!
[time lapse to verify schedule]
Double [...]
I had forgotten (Me?! Forget something?!) that Gershwin’s Piano Concert in F was in American in Paris. This is one of the works on this week’s concerts. Our soloist, however, doesn’t play percussion, conduct, or yell “bravo!” from the audience. She “just” plays piano. Go figure. ;-)
Time, now, to dry my hair and head on [...]
I can’t go to any blogspot sites because google has decided to block me. They suggest I have a virus or spyware. I do not. I’m very, very bummed. I don’t like doing bad things. I dislike, even more, being told I’m doing bad things when I am not.
Has anyone else had this problem? [...]
Not a positive sound was heard.
Read here.
Just listen. You’ll understand.
Now some might say, “but can he play oboe anyway?” So here is the same guy playing with a real reed:
and this:
I’m assuming you all can hear the huge difference between the fake cane reed and the real ones. If not … get your ears cleaned. Please.
Marcus tagged me. But I played earlier and, believe it or not, that book is still the closest to me at this very moment!
Most of my books are in other rooms. The family room has DVDs, CDs and records (that I can’t even listen to!). Ah, but there’s my Bible. You really want to [...]
…the chief protagonist is an ageing composer/conductor who is obsessed with revitalising his failing powers by humiliating, then seducing, young female musicians in his orchestra, even as his wife is having a serious operation.
Okay, it’s an opera plot, but I did laugh.
You can read about it here.
And it goes on:
An egotistical serial-philanderer? Not like [...]
I went to this link and watched and listened to their demonstration. When we finally get to the woodwind demonstration I wonder “Well, was that supposed to be an oboe or a sax?” Which tells you it doesn’t work for these ears. But how about other readers/listeners? What do you think? I’d love to hear [...]
So some conductor (woulnd’t ya know it? j/k) is in trouble for saying he bought instruments when he didn’t. Ya just can’t cheat the tax folks. Even in New Zealand, I guess.
Nelson Symphony Orchestra director David John Lindup is in custody after fraudulently claiming GST refunds worth $1.3 million for musical instruments he never [...]
Columbus would become one of the nation’s largest cities without a full-time professional orchestra.
(RTWT)
Columbus is fifteenth. We are tenth.
Just because your city is large doesn’t mean a symphony will be supported. Trust me.
But maybe it has something to do with the how we look. Take a look at Wikipedia’s pictures of the cities. [...]
I’m home. I think I got in the door sometime around 10:15. I’ve been playing oboe and English horn since before 10:00 this morning. (The first rehearsal began at 10:00, so I think I was probably warming up at around 9:20 or so.)
My mouth says it’s had enough! That was a long day of music. [...]
Opera is hoity toity people.
To darn funny. Thank you, Steve Colbert. Watch it here.
Colbert and Nathan Gunn? Very cool.
“It’s hard to sing in front of people with your shirt off.”
Who knew that Frank Sinatra conducted Mitch Miller playing “Air for Oboe” by Alec Wilder?
I sure didn’t.
You can listen to a bit of it over here.
