also the oboe studio has been infected with swine flu. i must not get sick!
His anti-sexism stand (in a world where a few orchestras still are hiring men only) showed at a recent Opera Guild chapter meeting in Lafayette. As Luisotti complimented American orchestras for needing fewer rehearsals than those in Europe, an audience member called out: “Because there are more women in the orchestras here.” Instead of just letting that pass, Luisotti laughed and agreed emphatically.
I wonder if this was put in because of an earlier quote by the Maestro:
The best way to become a conductor is to work as a rehearsal pianist, study, and watch other experienced conductors in action. You start to conduct when you become a man. It’s not enough to be talented. You need life experience, whether you’re conducting a symphony orchestra or an opera production.
Who knows? But a conducting friend of mine (a woman) immediately saw that latter paragraph! You can guess how it went over. :-)
I suggested that perhaps he was slightly misquoted, and really meant this:
“The best way to become a conductor is to work as a rehearsal pianist, study, and watch other experienced conductors in action. You start to conduct when you become a manager of musicians who are so frequently difficult to deal with due to the incredibly stressful situation they are in. Especially oboe players, who have the hardest job of all. ….”
You can read this more recent article here and the earlier one here.
Dan and I will be attending opening night, and I’m pretty excited. But no, I’m not wearing a gown. And no, we haven’t been invited to any parties. We aren’t quite in that crowd, you know? But I DO look forward to a wonderful night with the San Francisco Opera!
Just a little but of advice:
Sometimes young oboists get a false sense of how great they are, due to the number of oboists at their schools. If you are the only oboist — or even one of two — how do you know if you are truly playing at a high school level? I highly advise that oboists join youth symphonies. At least that gives you all a bit better idea of the level you may need to reach. I would also recommend you listen to other youth symphonies to see if you need to reach even further! And how many times must I advise this: go hear professional orchestras!
Trust me on this. Okay? :-)
(This isn’t being posted because of anyone I’ve heard any time recently. This is why I’m posting it now; it seems a bit safer to do this while no one can write and ask if I’m writing about him or her. I hope this saves my students the trouble and worry of writing to say, “You talkin’ ’bout me?”)
oboe lessons tomarrow =P havnt practiced 4 bout 3/4 weeks….. this should go wonderful=/…..
I just read this line: “Though classical music isn’t supposed to make you want to drink (quite the opposite), that option is increasingly available in trendy New York settings better known for indie rock.”
What does that mean? Classical music is supposed to make you never want a drink? Classical music means you’ll never be thirsty? Say what?
Yes, some days I’m just a muddle of confusion. I guess this is one of those days. Maybe I just need a nap.
I read it here.
The International Double Reed Society is pleased to announce the third annual performance competition for young artists.
First prize for the 2010 competition is a $2000 US cash award. The second prize is a $1000 US cash award. The third prize is a $500 US cash award.
enjoying the harmonius equation of some oboe & trombone…
Don’t miss the premiere performance of the
Divisa Ensemble
Tomiko Hamai, flute
Adrienne Malley, oboe
Leah Carl, violin
Stephanie Ng, viola
Sara Spieth, cello
Sunday, September 20, 2009
4:00 P.M.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 505 East Charleston Road
Works by W.F. Bach, Beethoven, Bliss, Britten and Mozart
Free admission and parking. Reception to follow.
See you there!
Program:
W.F. Bach: Duet for Flute and Oboe No. 4
Beethoven: String Trio in E-flat, Op. 3
Mozart: Flute Quartet in C Major K.285b
Britten: Phantasy Quartet, Op. 2
Bliss: Conversations
(Adrienne is a very fine oboist and I’d be attending this if I didn’t have Manon then.)
I’m selling two tickets to the show “Manon” at the california theatre in san jose. Fyi this is an opera show.
They’re for opening night, in case anyone is interested. I just giggled a bit at “opera show”. ;-)
Cacophony. Oboe upstairs, piano down.
There is nothing like a symphony orchestra to reveal deficiencies in a player’s frequency response.
Okay … did you just read that like I did at first? The blogger is talking about an iPod … not a musician! 8-)
I have been having an email interview with Daniel Wolf, over at Renewable Music, about composing for oboe. You can read what I think … and then you can come back here and argue with me as long as you’re registered. (And if you have ever played piccolo oboe do tell!)
Note: I do require a real name for registration. Recently an anonymous blogger tried to register, but when I wrote to ask for his/her name I received no response. Ah well. I think the person wanted to comment on something I said regarding his/her blog, but I guess he/she wasn’t about to come clean and hand me a name.
- I list private oboe teachers in the USA. It is a rather small list. I know there are more of you, so drop me a line if you’d like to be added!
- I have a list of double reed instructors at US colleges, universities and conservatories. I know it’s out of date. I recently went through the A and B names, but have gotten no further. Drop me a line if you see errors (of which there are plenty!).
- I even have a list of double reed instructors at boarding schools. (People really do these, eh?) Out of date, to be sure. You know you want to help me out. Drop me a line if you see errors.
You get the idea … I just want to put everyone to work here. To save me time. That’s how lazy I can be. (And on Labor Day, too! Seems like I should be laboring on labor day. Hmmm.)
Or maybe it’s really just that I want you all to drop me a line …?!
