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Trip review

Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2005-12-14 10:16

Hi all!

Have been on my trip to West Malaysia for the past few days.
I must say that it was quite enjoyable and fulfilling although the whole trip was basically a rush.

For the first time i attended the Malaysian Philharmonic's concert in their own Hall, the Dewan Philharmonik, which was situated under KLCC, the Petronas Twin Towers which was the tallest building in the world until Taipei 101 came in. Exquisite accoustics and superb orchestra i must say.

Got myself tons of cds. Won't list them all but one in particular was Fritz Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony in Strauss's Symphony Domestica which was absolutely amazing, beautiful oboe solo! And not to mention the best brass section of the time.

I visited my teacher and while he was busy teaching another student, i took time to check out his vast recording collection which included some LPs, and i must say that after that afternoon i have completely idolised Han De Vries, not only because of his virtuosity, but his sheer ability to make everything sound good. Please get his cds if you can afford them, they are a must for any oboist no matter your preferences. One recording i heard was the Concertgebouw conducted by Kondrashin on Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherazade and that particular solo was the most amazing rendition i have heard. I explored some rare repertoire and was amazed to hear Holliger on Elliot Carter's oboe concerto.

We played a lot trios with my teacher as english horn player and 2 of his students which included me on oboes. Learnt so much on ensemble playing. Fascinating experience! It has been long since i have attended a class and this time i learnt a whole lot, which included stuff which basic but oh boy were they a pain in my ass to get them right. Intonation was the main issue, and i found out that i tend to be sharp. I also had the chance to see this very interesting gadget which was similar to a clarinet barrel, but could be turned open and closed (a hole) sort of like a bunsen burner, which was to be attached on an English Horn to enable it to play a low Bb.

"A tuner is for you to listen to not to look at, and pianos in the Tropical areas of the world are usually not reliable" was one thing my teacher reminded me of.....gotta get myself a tuner with such capabilities soon...
Too much to write if i were to review on what i have learnt. Overall refreshing trip. Good to be back on the Board!

Howard

(p.s. did i mention that the plane's wing caught fire when i landed yesterday 12 a.m.? Fortunately i am alive and typing right now, the plane bumped into something when it was landing...gosh....)

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