I recorded the show and finally had a chance to watch. This was a great concert! It is always wonderful to hear how great musicians respond and produce when given strong, knowledgable leadership. One of the greatest things about the Vienna Philharmonic is the perfect balance. You just don't hear this many places, including some other so-called "greatest" orchestras. The brass are never blaring, always a nice sound, like the horns. Percussion is phenominal! Ever see a snare drummer in the US (or anywhere) play like chamber music? Did you see the tympanist's and bass drummer's elegant touch and hear the warm, supportive sound? Do you see anyone wearing earplugs, even those sitting directly in front of brass and drums? Everyone here now has to wear them or go deaf. You can't play your best with ear plugs. That is the main reason I "retired" early. Most conductors don't have a clue. If anything, they encourage louder playing from all as the idiots equate volume with excitement. If you have no ideas, or if you do have one or two and can't express it, or just say the same crap over and over again, just tell the musiciants to play louder! That will get the audience to clap and maybe even contribute money, all 1/4 or 1/3 of the house of them! Many US orchestras now are closer in sound to DCI or a heavy metal band than to real symphony sound. My advice to those of you who play, keep earplugs handy at all time and use them! Our "business" has seen it's best days, I'm afraid, in the US. Long live the Vienna Philharmonic! KB Prof. Hans P. wrote:
New Year Concert 2006: It was one of the three or four best New Year Concerts I listened to (von Karajan & Harnoncourt & Kleiber perhaps). Thzey told me they rehearsed very hard with Mariss Jansons, even their most familiar pieces. But the orchestra sounded most NOBLE. It was very different to other years as it was not a fun or joyous concert but a very serious concert with highest spirit & extreme fine playing by all groups. _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
