Random Thoughts

Originally uploaded
by Fack to Bront.

I love the space between; I love the tension created by absence, be it one of sound, movement or light. I found the simplicity and bareness of dance and sound incredibly beautiful. So often people try to put on performances that shock or amaze the audience...I've gotten used to being bored by technical brilliance. This was something different; something I liked. I listened to the hotshot bassoon soloist during the two day double reed workshop....and he literally could play anything...but I didn't like his sound. He played a piece written for him that had a prerecorded track to accompany him...I dislike prerecorded accompaniment, but I always try to give it a chance....it let me down again, and not only because the piece was stereotypical lets do something new free jazz boringness, but because the balance between the bassoon and the recording was off. Even if it had been a good piece it would have sounded bad. The balance of amplification for tonight's show was so bloody amazing. There were a few things that could have made it better, but it was really good.

I have difficulty holding performances up to traditional models, maybe that’s why I often really like fusion - I’m not offended or bothered by decisions that might seem wrong to others who demand a clear logic for each change.

If there is one thing that bothers me in performances it is performers of the woodwind persuasion who gasp for air between phrases. I’ve always thought that every part of the body should be involved in the music, and allowing one’s self to gasp so unmusically is simply not acceptable. The nokan flute player in the performance tonight was completely involved in the music; every breath, every movement was carefully controlled. She used her breath as a part of the music, her voice and the flute sound were one musical line. She even carefully played notes that were almost entirely inaudible. I want to be good enough to play my instrument like that.

One week and one day till the NYO audition. Still a bit under tempo on Le Tombeau, but I’m at 70 now…only need to get to 84.….reed making tomorrow I think.