 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: shmeon
Date: 2009-09-18 14:02
I've seen a couple comments about the NY Phil's opening night that was on TV a few nights ago (see Berlioz thread) so I thought i'd make a thread to discuss the concert. I thought the program was a little odd for an opening night, especially the 1st half. A commissioned work and a Messiaen piece are not your usual gala fare but i enjoyed it. Bravo to Alan Gilbert for taking a different approach to the traditional gala concert! I think the orchestra played great, and I especially enjoyed Mr. Nuccio's playing in the Berlioz. Some of his solos were so resonant that it even sounded amazing on my poor TV sound system. Nuccio and Pascal had some good moments together too. The Eb solo was played superbly by Pascal too! Anyone know what Nuccio was playing? I'm guessing Rico Reserve Classic, Kaspar ligature, Chedeville mpc? but what was the barrel? I haven't heard the NY Phil in a while, but it sounded to me like they were playing with more spontaneity under the baton of Gilbert. I think his leadership throughout the concert was just enough information to keep the orchestra on the same artistic page, and he stayed out of the way enough to let the players do what they do best. the concert is still on my DVR and i plan on listening to it again a couple times before i finally delete it. Bravo to the NY Phil!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-09-18 17:22
Anyone know who's playing bass clarinet and 2nd clarinet this season since the two mentioned above are acting principal and ass. principal? ESP
http://eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Morrie Backun
Date: 2009-09-18 17:57
Hello Ed,
My understanding is that AMY ZOLOTTO is playing Bass for the New York Philharmonic at the moment. She was in the shop recently and sounded great.
Amy has been in the New york "scene" for some time subbing with the Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera as well as playing with the NY City Opera. I think that she has also done some work with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Morrie Backun
Backun Musical Services
604-205-5770
morrie@backunmusical.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: vin
Date: 2009-09-18 18:20
It looked like Alucia Scalzo was playing second clarinet. She has studied with Mark Nuccio and others, and has done New World in addition to one-year positions in Grand Rapids and Kansas City. Great player!
Post Edited (2009-09-18 18:21)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-09-21 02:05
Thanks Morrie and Vin. Time was I knew the names of all these players, no more. ESP
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Adrian
Date: 2009-09-21 03:02
Interesting string seating arrangement--cellos in rows right in front of the conductor, with second violins behind them (unless I was mistaken).
Might be an attempt to readjust the acoustics before they do another overhaul of Fisher Hall.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-09-21 12:41
Adrian -
As I saw the seating arrangement, it had the violins in front, divided left and right, in the "old fashioned" arrangement, with the violas behind the firsts and the cellos behind the seconds. The double basses were in the back on the left, rather than in their usual position on the right.
Until about 1/3 of the way through the 20th century, this was the universal arrangement, and composers definitely took advantage of it. Mozart and Haydn tossed phrases back and forth between the first and second violins, as did Schumann. The finale of the Tchaikovsky 6th is incomprehensible without it, as are Mozart's string quintets.
Toscanini used this seating, describing the two violin sections as the "shoulders of the orchestra." I saw Daniel Barenboim conduct the Berlin Staatskapelle in the Schumann symphonies a few years ago, and the divided seating brought out many things I hadn't recognized before.
I unfortunately missed the opening piece. I loved the Messiaen, which is was more tonal than his later work and set the words very well. Flemming was amazing. How do you memorize something like that, for what's probably the only performance she'll give of it? I could have done without the flirting and how she dropped the strap off her left shoulder to give the impression her dress might fall off, but otherwise she was on good behavior, and she performed divinely.
I was slightly underwhelmed by the Berlioz, which was severely damaged by dreadful sound engineering, with long gaps where it went out completely. Probably Gilbert spent most of the rehearsal time on the Messiaen, particularly since the orchestra could play the Berlioz in their sleep. For me, it just wasn't vulgar enough (despite the NYP's well-earned reputation for vulgarity, perfected under Lennie and Zubelah bubbelah). Give me Solti/Chicago any day, which I heard them do at Carnegie Hall, when they practically brought the roof down.
A successful season opener, though, and we can be thankful that classical music can still get air time.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steve Hartman
Date: 2009-09-21 17:07
The setup is, from stage right to left: Violin I, Cello, Viola, Violin II with the Basses behind the Celli.
The 'acting' clarinet section is:
Mark Nuccio, Principal
Pascual Martinez Forteza, Associate Principal and E-flat
Alucia Scalzo, Second
Amy Zoloto, Bass
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alphie
Date: 2009-09-21 17:22
Does anybody know a link to the concert? Would be nice to see my old boss. After all I've followed him for the last nine years.
Alphie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
