 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2012-07-02 13:08
So - last night a concert in the park. I am playing Holsts Jupiter .... here comes my solo ... and something goes wrong in the orchestra. I continue to play - hesitate and complete the solo.
As I play I ask - myself - is it my fault? Did I count wrong. Should I drop out (if I am wrong) or should I continue in spite of the commotion?
I went up to the conductor during the intermission ... and I was very happy to find out ... it was the clarinets that came in wrong during the solo.
How do you decide to play or not - when something goes awry? It takes a quick mind to acertain the cause of the problem(s).
By the way ... the conductor said I held it together ... which enabled the orchestra to regroup.
Comments?
Mark
Post Edited (2012-07-02 17:52)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-07-02 14:18
If you're talking about the cor anglais solo when it goes back into 2, then that's a pivotal point so the others should know when that is and when come in accordingly if something goes wrong beforehand.
The conductor should give you the cue for this, then everyone else should take the cue from you.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2012-07-02 16:30
Of course, I never come in wrong.
But if I did, and I was ahead of where I should have been, I would go ahead and finish what I was doing. Can't un-ring that bell; trying to do so 'twould only make it worse.
A late entrance is probably less likely, but if I realized it, I would try to join the program already in progress.
If the ensemble is listening, they will adjust. If they aren't listening, I will adjust as it goes forward.
I remember once singing in an a capella vocal group a Bach motet ("The spirit also helpeth us," IIRC), where one or more of the 8 vocal sections got hopelessly into a repetitive loop, and couldn't get out until one particularly strong bass voice decided, after the third pass through the loop, to simply boom out the lead into the next section -- and we were saved. The audience suspected nothing.
Congrats for saving your show!
Susan
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2012-07-02 17:58
Chris,
Actually it was the 1st. Oboe part 12 measures after the 2/4 English Horn entrance.... measure 246 in the score.
I asked the conductor what would be he proper protocol in such a situation.
He replied: Always look at me for direction.
This made sense since as my solo approached .... there was no indication from the podium that I entered incorrectly after the English Horn at measure 239.
Mark
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2012-07-02 20:21
When I played the planets that was a tricky little solo because of a page turn.
You're an oboe. You're always right. Does that answer your question?
No seriously, you don't have a lot of options other than complete it with confidence and figure out what happened later.
Blog, An Oboe In Paradise
Solo Oboe, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra
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Author: Oboe Craig
Date: 2012-07-02 21:09
When it happens and it does, improvise. With confidence. Does not matter whose fault it is, and just make the best of it.
I've jammed in WWQ in orchestras and on live TV to help get the group through some tough spots. Play.... just play the heck out of it.
And it helps to 'practice' improvisation daily. I think it is a critical skill.
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2012-07-02 21:35
Chris,
As per the page turn .... I put the music together (copies) so the page turn was not a problem ... and was on the opposite side as in a book.
As per going ahead during a solo ... unfortunately I have seen other players begin a solo in the wrong measure and they never look up! The conductor motions, waves, sings, and maybe jumps up and down and they just go their merry way.
So yes play with confidence ... and always look at the conductor.
Mark
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Author: Loree BF51
Date: 2012-07-02 22:20
It sounds like you did the right thing. Incidentally, in one of the youtube performances of the Planets there appears to be an instrument in the oboe section, larger than the English Horn, and sitting right next to it. Is that a Bass oboe? Regards.
R. Still former student
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-07-03 12:23
The 3rd oboe doubles on bass oboe in this. Or heckelphone depending which is available.
I suppose if neither can be found, a tenor sax is the nearest thing in an emergency. Some bass oboe parts are cued on the bass clarinet part which doesn't have the right timbre.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tanya Johnson
Date: 2012-07-13 04:46
This is certainly never a fun situation. If you start the solo and the conductor isn't giving you the "no stop!" signal, try not to be shaken and keep playing as if nothing is wrong. It can be very nerve wracking. Kudos to you for pressing onward!
http://www.reedpros.com - purchase handmade oboe reeds
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