Ask almost any symphonic musician what works they love to play, and among the most often mentioned pieces will be those by either Richard Strauss or Gustav Mahler. Why is this? Well, to put it simply, these pieces constitute exactly what modern players are prepared to perform. Our entire musical education is essentially geared to create a technical base (both on the instrument and musicianship) that will enable one to perform these virtuosic pieces with relative ease.
Of the two, it is definitely Mahler who makes the more severe demands. In Strauss, one often plays an entire melodic line in its entirety, whereas Mahler demands superior ensemble precision by dividing up melodic lines among several diverse sections of the orchestra. Very quick changes in dynamics and tempi and texture also challenge the musicians’ ability to make quick adjustments on the fly.
So that’s why, after this weekend’s concerts of Mahler 4, you sense a buzz backstage – the orchestra is happy: we’ve risen to the challenge, and are feeling at the top of our game. The only problem? Just one more classical concert to go and then we’re done until September.
A quick shout out to our last-minute guest english hornist for last night’s concert – she sight-read the Barber and Mahler and sounded great. When I find out her name I’ll be sure to update this post.
Our English Horn sub last night was Jamie Roberts, Principal oboist of the Portland Opera – well done, Jamie!
3 replies on “why we love mahler”
Whoa, I can’t imagine sight-reading the Mahler on EH. I’ve played it twice, and even so I’d hate to come in and play it without a rehearsal. But to *sight-read* … yikes! She must be quite brave. I hope she at least got to see the part a bit before the start of the concert.
We’re doing the Mahler next year. I have to decide if I really want to go with the oboe 3/EH book, or take it easy and play second. The ending can be scary. At least for me.
I love the Barber, but I’ve not played it. Is it a big EH part?
Btw, we just finished a week with Gregory Vajda, and he’s returning next season. 🙂
The orchestra has ample reason to be feeling good about itself. All sections are playing splendidly. I thought Saturday night”s Mahler was very well done. My only quibble about the concert was that I could not understand the words of “Knoxville.” I am not sure Gauvin whether had a diction problem or whether it was just the hall being unkind again to a singer.
Curtis – thanks for the kudos! I think that diction was a factor, as I was unable to clearly understand what she was singing, and I was only about 10 feet from her…