Klarinet Archive - Posting 000974.txt from 1998/07

From: <Maestro645@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] MAHLER WAS A BIG CONDUCTOR ALSO!
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 14:33:50 -0400

In a message dated 7/23/98 8:57:11 PM Pacific Daylight Time, dodgshun@-----.nz
writes:

<< Couldn't agree more. In our orchestral setup (Chch Youth Orchestra), I
usually end up sitting slightly to the left of the trumpets, and in
consequence, although I'm still only 18, I can discern a noticeable
difference in how well each ear hears, with my left being better. And these
guys are still students, like me! The principal trumpeter in the Chch
Symphony Orchestra (a Russian who must have lungs like an whale) plays the
loudest of anyone I have ever heard - so loud that even with soundshields
and earplugs that at times it's still painful to be sitting in front of him.
And when he's playing piccolo trumpet the shrillness adds a new dimension to
the pain level.....the chariot race in Carl Davis' score for "Ben Hur" has
to have been the worst 15 minutes ever. Yet pianissimo brass can be
absolutely magical, if it's done well.

Anna
(hoping that her hearing won't be further damaged by overenthusiastic
trumpeters) >>

I hear you, Anna. I sat with trumpeters behind me, and their bells were no
more than 7 inches from my head. When we performed "March to Scaffold", the
trumpet fanfare was so loud, my ears were ringing. And at one rehearsal, the
first trumpeter didn't have any lip, so when he hit the high notes, he pushed
and strained. Well, we all know what that sounds like. There were a few
cracked tones. And boy, did that give me a headache!
Chris Hoffman
(who will probably need a hearing aid before he is 25)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org