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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000003.txt from 2006/11
From: philfrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] Couple things...tuning an oboe...SFCCO
Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2006 02:21:40 -0500
Hi -
Per my last theoretical outburst about tuning: I've been reminded the
instrument I was writing about is an oboe, not something that is
rational or logical or orderly in theory or construction. I've also had
skepticism expressed by individuals with a great deal of practical
experience, that the underlying theory I put forth is suspect. I can't
help it if I'm a positivist, and still think I'm onto something. But
I'll grant, a lot of learning to play the instrument seems inevitably
to be about accepting and dealing with its idiosyncracies.
It's very easy, when one becomes newly become aware of a problem in
one's playing, to try and find things in the instrument to fix rather
than in one's own technique.
On another subject, the experiment with improvisation is now online:
www.sfcco.com (go to "Past Concerts" and "Oct. 14, 2006"). The
performance is not exactly stellar, but I think there is something
there, albeit there's a whole lot of room for improvement (pitch and
tone production problems, technical lapses, but also a loss of flow and
momentum). I'm definitely not ready to go on any sort of tour. I do
welcome comments, feedback, suggestions sent to my private email
address: philfrei@-----. And, am grateful for SFCCO for allowing me
time on their stage.
The improv is the selection titled "The Thing Itself" -- consisting of
two pieces. The second link, the composition: "In my craft or sullen
art" is a song for voice and piano on a text by Dylan Thomas, and has
nothing to do with double reeds.
Oh, and while you are there, I particularly recommend listening to
"Flyer" by Alan Crossman, and on June 9, 2006 concert, "Canticle of the
Sun" by Alexis Alrich and "Music for Humans" by Michael Cooke. AND, I
get to play a new concerto movement by Michael Kimbell, called "Aria
for Oboe and Orchestra" at the next concert on December 2. Am quite
excited about that. It's a very moving piece, lyrical, and strongly
chromatic but not to the point of atonality. This is an interesting
bunch of composers, imho, and learning the "discipline" of writing
music which we can also play ourselves, I think, has been a unique, and
helpful constraint for us as a new music venue.
Many thanks,
Phil Freihofner
Albany, CA
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