Klarinet Archive - Posting 000761.txt from 1997/11

From: avrahm galper <agalper@-----.com>
Subj: my band experiences
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 19:48:42 -0500

My band experiences
During the war, I played in an orchestra, which during parades
substituted as a band.Not a good band at all.

When I returned to Canada, I joined the Musician's Union. It was during
the summer.
In the Musician's handbook there were addresses of reserve bands at the
various armories in Toronto.
I rehearsed with two of these bands. Something to do. They weren't good
bands at all.At least in a College, the kids learn how to play decently.
These were a gathering of old timers who played amateurishly.

But- it was a job. We got to play some parades, some gigs at the races.
I remember my first gig at the race, during the intermission, the guys
would say "this horse is a sure one" another would say "so and so is
going to win". It cost $2 to bet. You got $6 for the job.
That day I played for nothing!

Later when I already played in the Toronto Symphony there was a
professional band in town directed by Howard Cable, an able and
energetic musician. We had weekly broadcasts.
We once played a clarinet piece called Andante and Polonaise by Charles
le Thiere. Cable arranged the accompaniment and whole section played
the cadenza and solo.

At another occasion I played Bassi's Rigoletto.

When you think of it, does that fact that one can not have original
versions, mean that one can never play a Weber solo? I've heard the
first concerto with a band. Also the last movement of Weber quintet with
a band! It sounded pretty good. After all, you are listening to the
soloist!

Howard Cable had a band that played at the Exhibition in front of the
Grandstand in the Summer. It was a two-week gig. And band or no, we
couldn't afford to pass on that. Before that Summer, there was a large
orchestra that played for the show.
The star of the show was Jimmy Durante, the Schnozze!
One of the gags during the show was, that Schnozze would get annoyed
with the concertmaster, come down to the pit and grab hold of his violin
and smash it. Of course, it was a $5 fiddle.

One night, however, the Schnozze came down to grab the violin, but the
concertmaster hadn't switched violins yet. So they were tugging away at
his good violin.
Durante asked for a spotlight and looked at the concertmaster, who also
happened to have a large nose.
Durante said" Hey, look at that schnozze! . My job is jeopardy"

Playing in a band is fun sometimes.

Avrahm Galper

   
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