NobleViola - Latest Comments

Re: mannequins or musicians?

Ewwalker — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:18:47 -0000

It is interesting that the author above should choose to write about professionalism on stage. While I agree with everything that he is saying about musicians carryinig themselves as professionals while on stage, I find it ironic that he would be the one writing those words. I have attended concerts in Boston for many years and I have seen Mr. Orleans on stage. He has a very distracting stage presence and he is in fact one of the back row musicians I have seen speaking to colleagues during a performance. That is merely one example of inappropriate behavior on his part as well as on the part of his colleagues. While I do agree that it is important for the musicians on stage to appear engaged and show appreciation to the audience, it is equally important that they not give the impression that they are imploring the audience for individual acknowledgement and accolades. That type of behavior is rather pedestrian and detracts from the majesty of the symphony experience for audience members.

Re: mannequins or musicians?

Wwalker — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:10:58 -0000

Sadly I see this at almost every concert I attend.

Re: sibelius on sibelius

Irina Abreu B. — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:35:23 -0000

Bellisimo...

Re: unparalleled fiddlers

Greg Ewer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:36:00 -0000

Thanks for highlighting this concert Charles. I've been looking forward to it for a long time. It's going to be an amazing evening!

Re: outside in

monopoly money bob — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:58:40 -0000

yes, Yes, YES, the oso is a damn fine band & deserves a glorious new hall.

if i had a hotline to pdx's equivalent of eli broad, i'd tell that punk to uncork a few hundred mil - STAT.

Re: short, seasons, and saint-saens

Charles Noble — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:58:45 -0000

I'm glad you had a great rehearsal with Ms. Chen! We've been enjoying our rehearsals with her as well!

Re: on listening

Elainefine — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:39:49 -0000

Additionally, when the structure is on the "outside" or the "foreground," of a piece of music, as is the case with so many less-than-great pieces of music, it is difficult to get to the abstract I side of a piece. Kind of like clothes and make up covering or masking the person under them. When the structure is extremely sound, so sound, in fact that you can ignore it and still have the meat clinginging to its bones. That is why Shostakovich is so satisfying. And Beethoven.

With great music, and with great works of art in general, structure is important for the person making the thing, but not for the person listening, looking, or reading. But as a player you have to know the structure to play the work effectively, because you are participating in the most important part of its existence: being heard.

Re: short, seasons, and saint-saens

ephillips — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:43:24 -0000

PYCO, the preparatory full orchestra for PYP had a great rehearsal with Mei-Ann tonight. She worked with us on the fourth and second movements of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, which we're performing May 20. I loved working with Ms. Chen! I bet the concert's going to be great.

Re: short, seasons, and saint-saens

Robert E. Harris — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:52:57 -0000

Lucky Portland, Piazzolla and Nadia Salerno-Sonnenbreg on one program, two of my favorites.

Re: My Upcoming Concerts

Charles Noble — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:24:04 -0000

Tom - this page is for my upcoming concerts. Feel free to drop me a line via the "contact me" tab with press releases and the like. - C.

Re: My Upcoming Concerts

Tom Hard — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:14:22 -0000

American Masters

Portland Symphonic Choir
Steven Zopfi, Artistic Director

May 5, 2012 at 7:30 pm
May 6, 2012 at 1:30 pm
St. Mary’s Cathedral
NW 18th Av at Couch St.

A journey through the rich tapestry of the American Choral tradition: from Billings to Bernstein and beyond...to Eric Sayre, Jeffrey Van, and Eric Whitacre, with a finale by Aaron Copland.

Tickets via Box Office Tickets, 503-715-1114.

For background information on the Choir: www.pschoir.org

Re: on blogging

brook nerd — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:44:27 -0000

a 3000 word essay on brucknerian tremolos?! omg, i, for one, am honestly glad you don't have the time or energy for such frivolity.

now, let's gaggle on over to glissandi speeds chez Xenakis, ok?

Re: on blogging

Lisa Hirsch — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:17:31 -0000

What specifically is giving you problems voicewise, Charles? You've been blogging pretty consistently for six years, so it seems you have things to say....

Re: on blogging

James Bash — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:25:21 -0000

Hang in there Charles! I'm one of your loyal readers who appreciate your efforts to shed light on music and music-making. A break away from the pixel screen can do wonders.

Re: on blogging

Elainefine — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:00:43 -0000

I have no problem identifying your blogging voice, Charles! It is the same voice that gave that wonderful (though painful) account some years ago about the process of going through an orchestral audition. And your Bruckner tremolo observation is illuminating. I'll keep it in mind next orchestral season.

Re: peter’s got our back

bratschegirl — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:27:24 -0000

I saw the Munich Phil years ago, and they had in place a fascinating solution for the issue of all that tremolo in Bruckner. Throughout the string sections, for any prolonged tremolo passage the sections divided into thirds with some players playing quite a fast tremolo, some medium, and some slow. Who played at what speed changed many times during the passage according to some algorithm which wasn't obvious to the observer, although I started looking for it to see whether I could figure it out. It was altogether seamless, created a wonderful shimmering sound, and nobody had to play fast for too long. I thought it was most ingenious, but I haven't had to play a Bruckner symphony since then so haven't had the opportunity to really try it out.

Re: peter’s got our back

Mendy — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:02:49 -0000

you're telling me! There is quite a lively and impassioned discussion re: Bruckner on violinist.com at the moment. It's like a modern "Rite of Spring" via the WWW.

Re: is music really just a luxury?

symphonicplayground — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:49:36 -0000

Thanks for the video

Re: the other carlos

Chasfuller — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:29:06 -0000

I enjoy the good humor of Carlos K and the different ways he extends into the performance community of Portland. And yours!

Re: william depasquale 1933-2012

Member of Mr. D's studio — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 13:52:03 -0000

Thanks for posting this. The past week has been most difficult for everyone who knew him and whos lives were touched and changed by him. Our hearts our breaking. It still doesnt seem real...

Re: is music really just a luxury?

Bill — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:09:18 -0000

Great video.... I sent a link to this to a bunch of my friends, and got back such good reactions...... This ought to be seen by everyone!

Bill

Re: is music really just a luxury?

Elainefine — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:14:45 -0000

Thank you for this, Charles!

Re: life in flux

Mendy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:24:19 -0000

Charles, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's illness and glad to hear that she's making progress. I am reminded of the times I spent with my grandfather when he was ill. He always asked for me to play the Tennessee Waltz and Cotton Eye'd Joe. Though I didn't know those songs, I did my best and he loved it and sang along, as did the others in the nursing home. It didn't matter that it was perfect, but only that it was done with love.

Re: life in flux

Charles Noble — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:01:34 -0000

Thanks, Alfred. As the stress and angst of having a parent in ill health began, I found myself really craving some quiet practice time, just to play Bach or some other contemplative music, because it would take me out of my circumstances and give me some peace of mind. This made me realize why music, ideally performed live, is so important to so many people: being in that personal relationship with great art is not a luxury, but a necessity that helps people to escape from the problems and annoyances of their daily lives. My mom is making progress, and thanks for your kind wishes. - C.

Re: life in flux

Alfred Hornung — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:49:16 -0000

Really enjoying your blog and the description of musical life on the other end of the globe. It is interesting how the challenges of life get us listening to the self within. Us musicians get our selves so entwined with the music that we rarely stop and consider how to see ourselves as separate beings from it. Its usually the connection to loved ones that gives that gentle reminder of a music that exists in deeper human contact. Hope your mom is on the mend.
Alfred (in Australia)