August 2009

V.com weekend vote: What makes or breaks an orchestra performance for you?

August 28, 2009 13:32

I recently attended an orchestra concert, as an audience member, which left me completely unmoved.

It was a good orchestra, too. I became aware of my overall lack of engagement mid-way through the concert, and just as I was asking myself "Why?" a friend, a non-musican, leaned over and asked, "So what makes a bad conductor? How does that show itself in an orchestra?" Hmmm, was she having the same problem as I was?

I started to explain: the musicians, even very good ones, lose some confidence in the performance under a bad conductor, because they are startled with unexpected gestures or inaccurate beating. The energy of the music is interrupted, etc.

But was it the conductor? Maybe. How about the fact that it was outdoors, and I was hearing most of it through speakers? Not exactly my cup of tea. Or it was the wooden chairs, or the strange assortment of pieces chosen? Or the fact that it was too dark to read the program, even if I'd wanted to?

Hmmmm.

What makes or breaks an orchestra performance for you? You can speak from either being inside the orchestra, or watching from the audience.

poll by twiigs.com

18 replies | Archive link

V.com weekend vote: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

August 20, 2009 20:05

Here is one suggested by V.com member Paul Grant, who was wondering whether there was a correlation between being a classical musician and introversion.

What do you think? And which are you, an introvert or an extrovert?

I can't decide what I am. I took this test twice, and once I was an introvert and once I was an extrovert. I didn't think I had answered that inconsistently, I'd just lost the page with my result! Still, I think that just about sums it up; I'm a little bit of both, though I'll pick what I think I am for the poll!

I do think that something about the life of a musician -- all that time spent in a practice room, perfecting one's music -- can lead to introversion. But at the same time, we play music together, so an orchestra player or someone who jams in a band might be very extroverted. By your own judgment (or if you can take the above inconsistent test if you'd like...) are you an introvert or extrovert? Do you think musicians in general are introverts, or extroverts, and why?

poll by twiigs.com

31 replies | Archive link

V.com weekend vote: How long was your longest break from the violin?.

August 15, 2009 15:56

Have you ever taken a break from playing the violin? And if so, how long was it?

As the summer winds down here in the northern hemisphere, I've noticed a number of different approaches to the violin vacation. Some people take a conscious break; others slack off and feel tremendously guilty, wanting to flog themselves like Dobby the house elf.

As for me, I just had a happy reunion with my fiddle, which sat in the violin shop for a month while I drove around the United States with my family, and a mandolin.

I actually enjoyed delving into the mandolin, practicing frequently until my fingers burned (if you want serious callouses, take up the mando). The book that helped and inspired me most was Sam Bush Teaches Mandolin. Applying my Suzuki preaching to myself, I listened frequently to the CD that went with the book.

Of course, this was Bluegrass ("New Grass"?), and I made some interesting discoveries on this musical journey. For example, if I simply read the notes on the page, the result sounded nothing like music. Somehow, after all the scales and Kreutzer, square playing on the violin doesn't bother me, but on the mandolin, it sounded absurd. Not just absurd. I couldn't listen to it, I couldn't play it. Those eighth notes on the page are just a rough guide, and if you don't swing it, slide around a little, add some extra notes, noodle some...well, why bother? It's totally unsatisfying.

So I endeavored to swing and slide and make things interesting, all on an instrument that's new to me, if familiar (it's tuned the same way as a violin). I was really too occupied with all this to be missing my violin, or even thinking about it very much. And though I didn't become the next Sam Bush, nor did I expand my violin repertoire, I do believe that I shook myself out of a rut.

When I returned home a few days ago, I suddenly wanted my violin back, NOW. I wanted it like I want a drink of water after running three miles on a sweltering day.

I went to the shop, without calling ahead. "I don't know where Barry put your violin," said my friend in the shop, "just look for it while I get your bow." So I started looking at the dozens of violins hanging on the wall, sitting in alcoves... looking for my familiar friend and partner, like I was seeking the familiar face of a loved one in a sea of strangers at the airport or train station. I was just beginning to feel dismayed when she emerged from another room, "I found it!" I took it home with new strings, new hair on the bow, even new rosin ("Andrea" = "Tartini" resurrected)

My violin! It sounded loud, right there against my ear, unlike the mandolin. But this reunion was like those reunions with the best of friends: no scolding for the long absence. We were just happy to be together. Somehow, I knew I would play for a very long time, and I would not be playing any scales, cracking an etude book or getting out the metronome. I ignored the prissy super-ego voice inside, telling me to warm up.

I've been warming up for 32 years; today I'm going to play!

Your vote and comments below:

poll by twiigs.com

23 replies | Archive link

V.com weekend vote: Is there a classical music radio station where you live?

August 7, 2009 14:51

I've been on the road for almost a month, all over the United States, and so I've had a chance to explore the airways. Usually I can find a classical music station in big cities, but not always.

Where I live -- in Pasadena, in the Los Angeles area -- we have KUSC (FM 91.5), a non-profit National Public Radio station which broadcasts from the University of Southern California. The other station that served the Los Angeles area, KMZT, or "K-Mozart," moved to AM radio (1260 AM or 105.1 HD) in 2007. It had operated as a for-profit station, and its FM address was changed to a country station.

I'd argue that this was a blow to classical music in the LA area, to simply lose a station off the FM dial.

Radio stations are a great way to introduce people to classical music, to help people grow their interest in it, to allow people to listen to live concerts all over the world, to provide a forum for disseminating information and promoting local classical events. What is the situation, where you live? Is there a classical music station? Is there more than one? Is there a sad story about a station that didn't make it? What are your thoughts about your local station, if you have one?

poll by twiigs.com

30 replies | Archive link

More entries: July 2009