I am proud to have had a part in this incredible photo of the ongoing wars in Afghanistan/Iraq memorial in Boston. A moving shot by JS.
In Charleston harbor on a Kayak in June…it doesn’t get any better than this.
Why is everything more beautiful in Italy? Sunset from the train from Parma to Casalmaggiore, July 2011.
Conductors
What is it about conductors that makes them the way they are? The worse they are, the less successful, the less respected=the most self-absorbed, condescending, pseudo-informed, name dropping and control obsessed.
Today I was told by a conductor that my chair was too angled and I needed to move so he could see my face.
Wow.
Realize that you are the least important part of the equation that is a symphony performance, that most performers are more qualified to do your job than you are and that alluding to other composers/other works does not make you intelligent and well-versed.
Also: move your own god damn chair.
In other yet, related news: I am so disgusted with the state of music making by which I am surrounded that I am almost praying for more shit-stain on the fabric of contemporary music making so that I can get the chutzpah (jewish spelling tutor needed) built up for a career made from self-management. If no great orchestra will have me and the only people I know that inspire me musically live thousands of miles away (christ I miss mendelssohn octet!!), I will have to do it on my own. Good luck to me.
…meh.
I have to wake up in 6 hours to go off and inspire the youth. Isn’t it about time they inspired me? …I can barely get myself out of bed these days and I’m supposed to show them how bright their future is. Perhaps a morning special (i.e. coffee and assorted liquors) is in order…
p.s. the children are our future.
pps. valium is MY future, at least when children are involved
