Chris Mullins:

>There is an exposed horn solo near the start of the Dvorak, and the
>playing was frankly pathetic, in the classic sense.  I pitied the horn
>player.  He lost breath, was under the note - painful. I had my opera
>glasses, and I couldn't help but wonder - do orchestra players react
>when something like that happens?

I can speak only from my own experience. Generally, I'd say, unless
someone is out to "get" the player in question, the answer is no.

>The horn player next to the soloist
>stared hard at her score, though she had nothing to play soon

Typical, I think.

>Later the sad soloist had another exposed line, or perhaps both horns
>played and one was clearly playing poorly.  The gentleman continued to
>look sad.  When the concerto was over, Wispleway was taking his bows.
>Often an orchestra member with a solo part gets a separate bow as well
>- I don't think Salonen looked anywhere near the horn section.  ...

People get sick, have bad nights. Who knows. Maybe he's ready to retire.

>So Salonen works the orchestra into a thunderous frenzy for the climax
>- a Salonen specialty - and the evening is over.  But as I drove home
>in the rain I couldn't help but wonder - why did the horn player play?
>If he felt unwell, why didn't he cancel?  Can he realize he is indisposed
>after the beginning of the Dvorak and let the other horn player take
>over the lead lines?  Is there just too much pride involved?  Will
>Salonen talk to the man, or is it just assumed he had an off night?

Anything's possible.

>The horns and trumpets are the sole weak area, IMO, of the LA Phil.  The
>program announced that we have a new, younger trumpet player as of this
>concert - a gentleman from Houston Sym.  Hopefully he will bring up the
>level here.

Is Thomas Stevens still principal trumpet there. Or is he just leaving? I
used to think he was good, but ti's been a long time since I've heard him,
so I don't really remember that well.

>The trombones seem to be fine, by the way.

The principal, Ralph Sauer, is one of the really good ones and quite
respected by most trombonists. So is the Second, Sonny Ausman. I don't
know the bass as well, and actually, I haven't heard any of these guys
recently, so who knows what's changed?

Roger Hecht <[log in to unmask]>