I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but yesterday I finally took the plunge. I rented an oboe and signed up for lessons. Double reed…
If all goes as planned I’ll be there (to listen, not play)! I am sorry to say I’ve not been to concerts since my time with the group eons ago. When I think of all the Mozart I learned there it just amazes me. Maestro George Cleve is absolutely incredible with Mozart. Do consider attending!
Program II
Ballet Music for “Idomeneo”, K. 367
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488
Seymour Lipkin, pianistTwo Concert Arias for Bass:
“Alcandro, lo confesso”, K. 512
“Mentre ti lascio”, K. 513
Jeremy Galyon, bassoPiano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K. 503
Seymour Lipkin, pianistJULY 22 – 8:00PM – California Theatre, San Jose
… and other options:
JULY 23 – 8:00PM – San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall,San Francisco
JULY 24 – 6:30PM – Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Sonoma (outdoors)
JULY 25 – 7:00PM – First Congregational Church, Berkeley
and I’m not male. And I don’t have a large, bulky figure with a chest size between 42-46″.
But hey, I play a French oboe. And a French English horn, too. Does that count for anything.
The San Francisco Opera is auditioning performers for the French-speaking role of MONTFLEURY in its upcoming production of Franco Alfano’s Cyrano de Bergerac. Directed by Petrika Ionesco and sung in French with English supertitles.
This is a non-singing role and will be fitted with an AGMA contract. Actors should be between the heights of 5’8” and 5’11” and have a large, bulky figure with a chest size between 42-46”. In addition to being able to deliver French dialogue, strong movement ability is essential.
Interested candidates should contact directly for more information about auditioning and attach headshot/resume to email. No phonecalls please.
I read it here.
I watch a lot of baseball. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve “wasted” watching “my” Giants. A lot of musicians seem to enjoy baseball. I’m not sure why.
But don’t you think we should be able to call “Time out” like those batters. I mean … there’s Posey, up at bat. He’s in the box. The pitcher is about to pitch. And he’s calling “Time out!” and the ump lets him and then he can step out of the box for a moment to collect himself.
I just think, before some solos, I’d like a little time out before I play.
Just a thought ….
I can’t be there — I could have done this weekend, but Sunday’s date conflicted with Merola and some of the others didn’t call for me — but if you are in San Jose and looking for something free to do, try the Symphony Silicon Valley concerts!
Read about it here … or just read below since I’m doin’ the cut & paste thing:
FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL
JULY 24 – AUGUST 1, 2010
Warm summer evenings, picnics on the grass and the music we all hum to ourselves–the Symphony’s sizzling summer festival of music returns to the green at San Jose State University — 100% free through the generosity of Target. Enjoy the music of summer!
Jon Nakamatsu (pianist), Christina Andreas (Broadway star), Spanish Harlem Orchestra (kings of Salsa) & sports columnist Mark Purdy join the Symphony for star turns. Big Band, Latin, Broadway, Americana and a concert especially for kids are all part of the line-up. San Jose Mercury News & KDFC, Media Sponsors
American All Stars:
- Saturday July 24, 7:00 pm–Featuring Jon Nakamatsu playing Rhapsody In Blue
- Target Family Concert: Sunday July 25, 5:30 pm–With Mark Purdy narrating Casey At The Bat
- Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Friday July 30, 7:00 pm–The Grammy-winning kings of Salsa in concert
- Here’s To The Ladies: Saturday July 31, 7:00 pm–Christine Andreas’ tribute to divas of Broadway
- Your Hit Parade: Sunday August 1, 5:30 pm–The big band hits of the 30′s & 40′s
If you are wondering, I play the piano, various percussion, trumpet, oboe, flute, harp, and I sing.
Plan for tomorrow: True my Bike wheel, take apart project oboe, make oboe reeds, mix a song, and practice…..yeah….right
Call for Orchestral Players -
operamission is presenting Così fan tutte August 17-22.
A reading orchestra is being assembled for four sessions to jam through Mozart’s opera Così fan tutte with a spectacular cast of singers at New York’s Gershwin Hotel on 27th St & 5th Avenue.
Qualified players of the following instruments are invited to sign up:
flute
oboe
clarinet
bassoon
horn
trumpet
timpani
violin
viola
violoncello
contrabass
Players may participate in any number of sessions. We will cover 30-40 minutes of music in each session.Four hosts – a conductor (Jennifer Peterson), a stage director (Ned Canty), a dramaturg (Cori Ellison) and an Italian language master (Marco Nisticò) will lead the audience through the musical and dramaturgical assembly of the work.
Parts will be available in advance. Final seating & chair assignments are at the discretion of the conductor.
Four three-hour sessions
Act I, Part 1 – Tuesday, August 17, 7-10pm (7:30 downbeat)
Act I, Part 2 – Wednesday, August 18, 7-10pm (7:30 downbeat)
Act II, Part 1 – Friday, August 20, 7-10pm (7:30 downbeat)
Act II, Part 1 – Sunday, August 22, 4-7pm (4:30 downbeat)
To sign up, contact Jennifer Peterson at operamission in one of the following three ways:
email – operamission@gmail.com
twitter – twitter.com/operamission
website – leave a comment here at www.operamission.orgFacebook event ‘Così fan tutte: Some Assembly Required’ displays full details, but a facebook RSVP is unofficial if not confirmed via one of the above three media.
Thanks!
Wanna play?
Seriously … it’s Così! C’mon … you know you wanna! 8-)
Great oboe lesson for [daughter's name] today! Her teacher said that she had improved so much in just two weeks! She seems to think that [daughter's name] will have great success with the oboe!
I am trying to envision and quantify the musical potential of being able to play the oboe versus the ability of being able to play the clarinet.
What instrument might offer a more versatile musical experience for a child? By versatile, I was thinking of an instrument that a child might desire to play throughout his/her life at home for relaxation and enjoyment rather than as a professional job in an orchestra. Thats why I love the piano and I am thankful my parents gave me piano lessons as a child. I’m not professional but I play every few days just for enjoyment outside of my professional life.
I can see the clarinet being a nice instrument a child might desire to play in the evenings after a long day at work for relaxation but I am not so sure about the oboe.
Can you see this with an oboe? or is the oboe too awkward of a sound for personal at-home use and more suitable to only ensemble or orchestral playing in a professional environment?
You see, I am not sure if my daughter will become a professional musician and I just want her to have the opportunity to be able to play a second instrument (she already plays the piano) for leisure and simply for the enjoyment of playing music.
If you were to choose between an oboe and a clarinet for such reasons what would you choose?
Do read the entire question.
I’m not sure how I’d answer, to be honest. The reed issue with oboe is definitely something to consider. I have been at this for an awfully long time and I still really hate the reed part. The clarinet may be easier to “keep up” on a lighter level, and the reeds are certainly less costly. But at the same time, oboe is … well … oboe! You can’t beat the sound of an oboe. Right?
What I might ask the questioner is, “What does your daughter like? Has she heard both instruments and thought about which sound appeals to her more? Does one just grab her heart?”
Anyone out there want to go give your answer to the parent? Go for it!
#nowplaying “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal (love dis song. I actually wanted 2 learn 2 play the oboe so I could play that woodwind part)
Love it!
I got rhythm and played tennis with Mr. Schoenberg
By Kyo Yoshida
school tomorrow… oboe lesson during maths. i have two words. oh. and yeah!
Honestly, if I had to choose to listen to only one genre of music for the rest of my life, I’d pick classical. It embraces multitudes and goes places no other genre does. But I don’t have to pick, and so I get to love go-go, hip-hop, jazz, funk, soul, and any other music that grabs my little heart. No one else in this modern world has to pick either, and they’re not going to listen to anyone who tells them that they have to.
So can we get off this? Please? Forever? Instead, I pledge to tell people what I find so exciting about classical music, hopefully in novel and vivid ways, and celebrate performances that generate just that kind of excitement. That’s what it’s all about!
(Thanks to a tweet from “mlaffs” for alerting me to the blog entry.)
I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while. I’m tired of the “This is better than that” thing. I don’t mind “This is different than that”, because that’s just true. But comparing classical music to pop music to determine which is “better” just seems silly and unproductive to me. (It does go both ways; I’ve heard pop music lovers do the same thing, so don’t think it’s just us classical music slobs snobs who do this!)
What a goofy way to spend one’s time. It’s not like, say, comparing milk chocolate to dark and knowing full well milk is waaaay better. ;-)
But really now, if we could get off the comparison thing, and if we could get off the “it’s dying” or even, “it’s already dead” thing, and if we could just enjoy what we like and maybe even get others to listen a bit, well, wouldn’t that be a bit more enjoyable? Some will like what I like. Some won’t. My kids play “their” music for me. Some I like. Some I don’t. I can live with that.
