Klarinet Archive - Posting 001256.txt from 1999/03

From: KlarBoy@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Beethoven humor
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 02:56:58 -0500

I couldn't resist sending this

A number of years ago the Seattle Symphony was performing Beethoven's
Ninth under the baton of Milton Katims. At this point you must
understand two things;

1. There is a long segment during this work that the basses don't have a

single note, page after page;

2. There used to be a tavern right across the street from the Seattle
Opera House; it was favored by the local musicians.

During this performance, after the bass players had played their
parts, they decided to quietly lay down their instruments and leave the
stage rather than sit there for 20 minutes with nothing to do.
But once they were backstage some one suggested they slip across
the street for a bit of refreshment. After they had downed a couple of
drinks some suggested they should go back, it would be awfully
embarrassing
if they were late.

Another, presumably the one who suggested the excursion in the first
place, said, "Don't worry, I bought us a little more time by tying a
string around
the last few pages of the conductors score. When he gets there he will
have
to slow the tempo way down while he waves the baton with one hand and
tries to untie the pages with the other."

So they had another round and finally returned to the Opera House, a
little tipsy by now. As they came back on stage, one look at the
conductors face told them they were in serious trouble. Katim was
furious! And why wouldn't he be..After all... It was the bottom of the
Ninth, the score was tied and the basses were loaded.

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