2 Birthdays Today

31. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Birthdays!

(& actually 3, as I just learned François Devienne was born in 1759)

Happy Birthday, Franz Schubert! Thank you for your music. Happy Birthday, Franz Schubert! Thank you for your music. Happy Birthday, Franz Schubert! Thank you for your music. Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday. Franz. Franz. Franz. Franz. Thank you for your music. Thank you. Franz Schubert! Thank you. Franz Schubert! Thank you. Franz Schubert! Thank you. Franz Schubert! Birthday. Birthday. Birthday. Birthday. Birthday. Thank you for your music. Music. Birthday. Music. Birthday. Music. Birthday. Thank you.

Oh … and happy birthday to Philip Glass too.

What They Wore

31. January 2012 · 3 comments · Categories: Read Online

The New York Times had a feature by Danielle de Niese, 32, writing about what she wore, which of course everyone was dying to know.

And now Barihunk Michael Adair, 31, writes about what he wore!

Hmmm. Are you all dying to know what I, 55, wore? And maybe when I wake up (alarm goes off every day at 7:30 AM, fyi) too? Do tell!

FBQD

31. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: FBQD

Still recovering, car was in the shop, had to take public transportation today…ewee. Woman next to me smelled like corn, kept hitting me in the head with her oboe.

Addio del passato

31. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Opera, Videos

This is faster than I’m used to hearing it, but here’s the oboe solo in La Traviata … and some soprano stuff to accompany the oboe:

Angela Gheorghiu is singing:

MQOD

31. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Quotes

Probably no other country (at least not yet) can boast as many great symphony orchestras, opera companies and conservatories. We are training and producing a stunningly high level of young musicians. The paradox: every arts institution I know is struggling to keep and develop its audience. The arts might need to be repackaged, but without compromising the quality and essence of the inherited art form of which we are the custodians.

-James Conlon

RTWT

& So It Begins

31. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Opera, Videos

Today is our first orchestra rehearsal for Opera San José’s La Traviata. I don’t know that it will look like this, but here’s a sample of the music:

ACappellaTuesday™

31. January 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: ACappellaTuesday™

Francisco Feliciano: Pokpok Alimpako
Peiyang Chorus & Mao Yong

Note from here: This piece is based on a motif of a Maranao (southern philippines) melody and the words of a Muslim children’s chant; it features virtuostic interlocking rhythmic patterns and a prestissimo tempo.

Pokpok alimpako pok!
Limpakopiko malalago isi daling
daon si Boroboro
bukas kasa-isa
Pokpok alimpako!

Translation:
Pound your hands;
Dali will run.
Boro-boro is not around.
Open that hand under the other.
Pound your hands!

TQOD

31. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: TQOD

I so want to learn to play the oboe. They are just too expensive but this is a worthy goal.

Phones … Children … What’s Next?

30. January 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Read Online

Probably a dog.

Oh. Wait. I heard a dog at a concert once.

The youngster had been wailing for quite some time when Gittleman stopped the music, turned to the audience, and asked that the child be removed. Some audience members applauded.

RTWT

I’m sorry that the parents were probably embarrassed. I’m sorry classical music may once again get the rep for being uptight. But really, if a child is crying, he or she should be taken out of the hall. And really, why would someone bring an infant to a concert in the first place?

I remember doing Camelot many many years ago with Richard Harris. Near the start of the musical a baby was crying. Harris, playing King Arthur, had just met Guenevere for the first time. He asked her, staying in character the whole time, “Did you bring a baby with you? I’m hearing a baby cry somewhere nearby.” She replied that she had not. He continued, concerned about the poor crying baby.

That baby must have been taken out right then, as we heard no more crying in that show.

They Say There’s An Oboe In This

30. January 2012 · 9 comments · Categories: Videos

… but I sure don’t hear one!

Update
I’m re-writing this since I came off so darn snarky:

This is quite clever. It’s also fun. I’m just picky about what I call things. I would call these smartphone instruments rather than implying that they sound like the actual instruments. But I’m goofy that way. I also don’t call tofurkey turkey. But really, I have no issue with people making music on whatever they want to make music on. I’ve seen people make music with kitchen utensils and vegetables too. :-)

FBQD

30. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: FBQD

I remember once, when I started writing for the alto saxophone, a saxophonist told me to think of it as being like a cross between an oboe and a viola, but louder……

MQOD

30. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Quotes

The idea of a wet T-shirted quartet where once was Amadeus has me reaching for the sea-sick pills, or just retching.

-Sir Thomas Allen

TQOD

30. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: TQOD

I love my oboe 100x better than my flute. #bandnerd #iregretnothing

Anywhere Near Nashville?

30. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Concert Announcements

Contrary to one part of the article, I believe this concert is tonight, Monday, January 30. The church’s website has today’s date, as does the body of the article (which I’ve put in bold font just because I can).

Roger is a great player, and mighty nice guy too!

Mozart Birthday Concert
Mozart Birthday Concert at Edgehill United Methodist Church
When: Sun., Jan. 29, 7 p.m.
Pianist and Nashville Symphony English horn player Roger Wiesmeyer plays a lot of concerts, so we take notice when he calls the Mozart Birthday Benefit Concert at Edgehill United Methodist his favorite show of the year. The annual celebration, now in its 10th year, always draws a diverse crowd of activists and music lovers — founder and organizer Wiesmeyer calls it “an opportunity to marry the things that matter most to me: beautiful music and social justice.” Conductor Joseph Lee will lead a specially assembled orchestra Monday night in Mozart’s “Little” G-minor Symphony No. 25 and the “Gran Partita” Serenade for winds. Always exuberant Vanderbilt composer Michael Rose offers halftime commentary drawn from his recent book Audible Signs, and be sure to stay after the performance for cake and conversation. This year’s concert benefits Nashville Peacemakers, a youth outreach organization founded by Clemmie Greenlee, the Scene’s 2007 Nashvillian of the Year.
— Russell Johnston

Sunday Evening Music

29. January 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Sunday Evening Music

Thomas Tallis: Le Lucis ante terminum
Cappella Nicolai

To thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with thy wonted favour, thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Amen.

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