Pilgerstorfer Reeds

I have recently discovered a new brand of reed by the name of Pilgerstorfer. 

Pilgerstorfer, an Austrian company, produces three different cuts of French-style reeds. The Dolce, Rondo, and Morre. I tried several strengths of each cut and determined that the dolce is the closest to the V12s I am currently using. I found them to be very consistent and they produced a nice, mellow tone. They also play very well straight out of the box. I did notice that they seem to be lacking some of the depth I find in my V12s as well as possessing a somewhat slower articulation, but overall they are wonderful reeds. I would definitely recommend giving them a try. If you are interested, you can purchase the reeds from Clark Fobes, who is the only US retailer of the reeds. He even provides a sample box with reeds from all three cuts in the same strength if you are interested in comparing for yourself. Only time will tell if they will replace my trusty V12s, but they are definitely a contender. 

Buy reeds HERE. 

Pilgerstorfer website HERE. 

New York Phil Opening Gala: PBS on Demand

The full video of Thursday's concert can be seen below. Enjoy!

Watch New York Philharmonic Opening Gala with Itzhak Perlman on PBS. See more from pbs.

Pines of Rome: Anthony McGill performs with the New York Philharmonic

Watch the New York Philharmonic perform Pines of Rome from Thursday's concert. Anthony McGill, as always, sounds INCREDIBLE. Skip to around 9:00 to hear some of the most masterful clarinet playing you can imagine.

Masterclass with Robert Marcellus: an audio recording

Below is a recording made in 1982 of a masterclass with Robert Marcellus from the beginning of his summer sessions at Northwestern University. It is incredible to hear the voice and teachings of such a renowned performer and pedagogue. Enjoy!

The Reed Workshop: Reed Making Overview

Joseph LeBlanc, clarinetist in the DC area and creator of the incredible Metronome Plus app, has a new website dedicated to reed making. The Reed Workshop is a great resource for prospective/beginning reed makers as well as those with years of experience. You will find a full range of reed-making equipment as well as tips and tutorial videos to aid you along the way.

Below is a video with an overview of at-home reed making:



The Reed Workshop website can be found HERE.

Hearing music for the first time: a deaf man's story

Austin Chapman was born almost entirely deaf. Through the use of hearings aids he was able to discern some sounds, but nothing that made music special to him: 

"My whole life I’ve seen hearing people make a fool of themselves singing their favorite song or gyrating on the dance floor. I’ve also seen hearing people moved to tears by a single song. That was the hardest thing for me to wrap my head around.”

Through the help of an upgraded hearing aid (Phonak’s Naída S Premium) he was able to experience music for the first time. Below is his reaction to first hearing Mozart's Lacrimosa:

"Being able to hear the music for the first time ever was unreal.

When Mozart’s Lacrimosa came on, I was blown away by the beauty of it. At one point of the song, it sounded like angels singing and I suddenly realized that this was the first time I was able to appreciate music. Tears rolled down my face and I tried to hide it. But when I looked over I saw that there wasn’t a dry eye in the car."

The full story can be found HERE. (via The Atlantic)

Atlanta Symphony Contract Deadline Passes: What is next?

As the current contract with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians expired on August 25, 2012, no deal had yet been reached in the ongoing negotiations between orchestra musicians and management. Management refused the deal proposed by the musicians suggesting that all orchestra employees take an 11% cut in pay, the result of which would have been a $5 million savings over the next two years. 

The orchestra is scheduled to open its new season on October 4th, if a new deal is reached in time. The Atlanta Symphony Website stated: 

“While the current contract between the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Federation of Musicians expired on August 25, 2012, both parties are continuing to work towards a solution. Negotiations are ongoing. We have some serious budget issues to address but we are all striving for the same thing — a thriving music community.”

Musicians are fearful of a lockout which would leave them without pay and health benefits. Atlanta Symphony president, Stanley Romanstein, denies that this will happen, but Donald Fox, vice president of business operations, stated in a letter to musicians that they have no authority to continue to receive benefits past the time of the current contract's expiration. 

What is next? Could there be a strike in store? 

Full article HERE. 

Detailed information about negotiations can be found HERE.http://www.atlantasymphony.org/2012musiciantalks