Author: lmliberson
Date: 2021-12-05 00:28
Just a thought after reading what Johan H Nilsson said:
Please be very careful when painting with a broad brush in regards to those who choose not to play their instruments after retiring from an orchestral position - or, for that matter, any kind of music related job or a career in any field.
In regards to those particular clarinetists, to label them as “instrument operators” is extremely insulting. Do you happen to know what they did during their working lives?
I have worked many years with those who continued playing after retiring and those who stopped playing completely. During their careers they all taught, coached, performed chamber music, etc. Hardly that of an “instrument operator” IMHO. They were dedicated to their art, their colleagues and their students, not to mention the community in which they lived and performed in these various roles.
But there are perfectly legitimate reasons for discontinuing playing once retired. One is the sense of not being tied down to the instrument. I rarely go anywhere now without my instruments - even while on some vacations. I know I need to stay in top playing shape as, when I return home, I will be right back there on stage where I’m expected to be ready to play anything. When one is retired, that expectation no longer exists and, just perhaps, a certain retiree might want to ease off a bit? Or perhaps when not maintaining that performance level of what was expected during their careers they simply don’t like what they hear anymore? (Heck, I can hardly stand what I sound like sometimes!). They have certainly earned that right. Besides that, there are other things in life - travel, family, volunteering, and just plain relaxation - than playing the clarinet. Hardly a horror story.
And think about it: what else is there to prove - to others or to one’s self? You very well might have played much of the repertoire several times and while you (at least in my case) love to play and are not tired of that repertoire, please tell me where you are going to play that music with like-minded and equally accomplished musicians? A community orchestra? A community band? Be realistic now. After performing for several decades (I’m in my 46th year as a member of a major American orchestra) now with those among the finest in my profession, I can’t see that as a viable outlet for whatever talent and skill I might still have upon retiring. I’m not minimizing those who play in those ensembles or the quality of those groups but, after hearing more than a few of them, well, it’s not for me and I suspect many of those who have retired from major orchestras also share those same sentiments. You can infer whatever you’d like from that comment.
Sure, there are those who are unhappy and/or bitter and chuck their instruments and never look at them again. However, that hardly describes the reality of our world. There are those, again, who leave all kinds of professions unhappy and bitter. But not all. Hardly.
When I was a teenager (back in the dark ages), I vividly recall my grandmother (your stereotypical Jewish grandmother, btw!) saying that “being a musician is okay but maybe you could be a doctor or lawyer on the side?”. Well, I have very happily been a musician for many years now - a musician, not just a clarinetist, mind you - and when I retire (which will likely be sooner rather than later), I will still be a musician. Whether or not I continue to play with the same kind of frequency and intensity has yet to be determined. I’m pretty sure it will be nothing like it is at the present.
My wife is a pianist so I’m looking forward to working on some solo repertoire with her that I haven’t yet had much of a chance to delve into. Also, I love clarinet quartets - maybe some of that is in my future?
Or maybe I’ll just pay occasional attention to my clarinets in deference to my stack of crossword puzzles, reading material, and the upcoming ski trips. Who knows?
But it hardly sounds like horror to me.
Post Edited (2021-12-05 01:57)
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
