One of these days I swear the formulas and derivations on the chalkboards in my classes will relay a secret message to me. I'm just going to be sitting there and then I'll suddenly the board will speak to me and tell me what to do. Sometimes it does feel like I'm deciphering codes from formulas (especially when trying to re-read my classnotes).
So Disney Hall....
If you ever get a chance to see/hear a performance there, whether it's next month, next year, or twenty years from now, I suggest going. Not only is it architecturally captivating, the sound acoustics are absolutely astounding! And performing with the L.A. Philharmonic is beyond words! They sound so good, and don't even really need us for these performances. It's such an honor to be asked to perform alongside such amazing musicians.
As for the concert itself, we'll be singing two Berlioz pieces now. At yesterday's rehearsal they sprang another song on us to sing that we hadn't rehearsed at all, but fortunately it's mostly us shouting "Italie!" then doing a little "Oh-Ah-Oh-Ah". Easy enough to manage. I found out that towards the end of the third movement of Berlioz's Tristia a gun is supposed to be fired. So we have a shotgun with a blank that will be shot towards the audience! I can't help but wonder if shotguns are a common French musical instrument. Are there traditionally parts written for Shotgun? Could you get them to fire in different keys? And how do you tune a "musical shotgun"? *Sigh* So many shotgun questions to be left unanswered. They gave us all earplugs to protect us from the sound, but fortunately it isn't all that loud, despite the acoustics. I think it would be amusing to be the guy who gets to use the musical shotgun. Those percussion people sometimes get to have all the fun.
For tonight's concert I decided to look my best, which includes "de-hairing" myself. I haven't had a haircut in over 3 months and haven't shaved for almost 3 weeks. So needless to say I was very hairy! Don't worry though! It's all been taken care of.
Tune in tomorrow for my musical review of Berlioz at Disney Hall!
So Disney Hall....
If you ever get a chance to see/hear a performance there, whether it's next month, next year, or twenty years from now, I suggest going. Not only is it architecturally captivating, the sound acoustics are absolutely astounding! And performing with the L.A. Philharmonic is beyond words! They sound so good, and don't even really need us for these performances. It's such an honor to be asked to perform alongside such amazing musicians.
As for the concert itself, we'll be singing two Berlioz pieces now. At yesterday's rehearsal they sprang another song on us to sing that we hadn't rehearsed at all, but fortunately it's mostly us shouting "Italie!" then doing a little "Oh-Ah-Oh-Ah". Easy enough to manage. I found out that towards the end of the third movement of Berlioz's Tristia a gun is supposed to be fired. So we have a shotgun with a blank that will be shot towards the audience! I can't help but wonder if shotguns are a common French musical instrument. Are there traditionally parts written for Shotgun? Could you get them to fire in different keys? And how do you tune a "musical shotgun"? *Sigh* So many shotgun questions to be left unanswered. They gave us all earplugs to protect us from the sound, but fortunately it isn't all that loud, despite the acoustics. I think it would be amusing to be the guy who gets to use the musical shotgun. Those percussion people sometimes get to have all the fun.
For tonight's concert I decided to look my best, which includes "de-hairing" myself. I haven't had a haircut in over 3 months and haven't shaved for almost 3 weeks. So needless to say I was very hairy! Don't worry though! It's all been taken care of.
Tune in tomorrow for my musical review of Berlioz at Disney Hall!
posted by Chris Burzlaff @ 1/22/2004
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