Klarinet Archive - Posting 000313.txt from 1995/05

From: niethamer@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: getting burned
Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 06:37:49 -0400

> > Nancy wrote.............
> >
> > Last week in rehearsal of the Dvorak No.8, the principal clarinet and
> > I inadvertantly could not see the conductor when he sat down during
> > a very exposed clarinet soli. Since I couldn't see him, I followed
> > the principal through the soli section, hoping to, at least, stay
> > together. Boy, did we get reamed. What should we have done, according
> > to list protocol. It's time to light the fire again. Please save me
> > from getting burned twice.
*****************************

> On Mon, 8 May 1995, Sal Lozano wrote:
> >
> > Nancy Tell the conductor in your strongest voice "I'm sorry but we coul
d
> > not see you. Can we try it again?"
> >
> > How's that for bold
> > Sal Lozano

On Mon, 8 May 1995, Tom Izzo wrote:

> Scuse me (or on this list, i guess it's skuse me), but what is the
> conductor doing siting down while a piece is going on? Is this a smaller
> ensemble (smaller than an orchestra, say)?

Tom's Question is exactly to the point. Sal is too polite (*way* too
polite!!) The answer to your question is: gesture obscenely in the
direction of the podium when the conductor is finished with his tirade
(behind the stand if you don't yet have tenure!)

My all-time favorite conductor story involves one of my teachers in a
regional orchestra, playing "Petrouchka". At the end of the second
tableau, the two clarinets play the ascending triplet (in seconds) and
land on a long note, followed by four eighths. This conductor *stopped
conducting* on the long note. After a seemingly lengthy wait, when it
became apparent that the conductor would not go on, the principal nodded,
and they finished together. During the intermission, the conductor chewed
them out for *not finishing sooner* - "After all," he said, "sometimes
I'm too busy thinking about the music to beat time" (!!!)

Always remember the difference between the bull and the orchestra - the
bull has horns in the front...etc.

David Niethamer