Problem with accompanist

[jbeish]

List: I have been preparing to give a recital and just been not getting along with my piano player. To start, I received an email from her telling me she was going to 'not show up' to my recital because I didn't include her name on the recital poster/bulletin/whatever. Fine, sorry... I apologized and fixed it and so I thought that was fine. She is the 'adult' wife of a faculty member so I assumed that since she's being paid a couple hundred bucks, that would be enough compensation. Next, this past weekend, I performed one piece from my program during a studio recital. I was nervous because the piano part was not prepared well enough. I played the Plog "Three Miniatures." First movement went okay, no real meltdowns. But, the third movement was a train wreck. I was really pissed at myself because I automatically assumed it was I that miscounted or whatever but I did happen to video tape the performance and I was rock solid. She came in a beat late on the last page where the new thematic material is (off beats/on beats) But thankfully she stopped playing and left me hangin' for a bar or two and caught up with me until the "faster" section and came in another beat late and somehow we ended together. Fine. Better next time I hope right?

This person also accompanies about 20 kids in the department. A violin player was sent an email from her but also got sent to all the students she accompanies. Here is the email:

Lauren,

You can make yourself look stupid with those posters but you need to make some FORMAL posters to put on the doors. If I don't see them tomorrow, you will play for your recital by yourself. Everybody likes to play with a good musician. I'm ashamed of playing with you who is not close to anything.

You started the business of not putting my names on your recital posters last year. This is the last time I warn you.

I already told Dr. C this morning that I won't play with you for this Thursday's Departmental.

And I won't waste my time with you before you fix those posters.

S

I got pretty pissed off about this email. I think that is the most unprofessional thing I've ever heard. Knocking the poor girl's musicianship. Her recital is the 8th so she's kinda stuck. I would think one would be satisfied with a few hundred bucks to play some Bach rather than a name on a poster. Students have a reputation for making some pretty funny posters just to joke around but there are 'serious' ones as well. Well I talked to some professors and voiced my opinion about this email. I talked to Lauren shortly after this email and she told me something that was really upsetting/rattling/sick. This piano player will make mistakes ON PURPOSE if she doesn't like you or to make you look stupid by her own admission. So did she really get lost or make a mistake or do it to me on purpose as payback for the recital posters?

My question is this. My recital is the 22nd of April. The only really difficult lit is the Plog and also the Hindemith. Personally, I'd like to dump this pianist but I also feel trapped because the Hindemith is so difficult. Should I reschedule my recital and find a new player or just stick it out? As if a recital isn't stressful enough I have to wonder if my pianist will sabotage my performance. I went in to her office and spoke with her and voiced my concerns and she assured me that everything will work out but she said she wants to be paid up front for the recital. I think I'll just hold off on the recital pay until after to be safe and just pay her for rehearsal time for now. I just wanted to get someone else's thoughts on this situation as well as just vent some frustration. Thanks for any imput/similar stories.

Oh yeah, on my way out of her door she says to me "you are going to practice with a metronome sometime, huh?" I really had to bite my tongue... Thanks again

Justin

[Tom]

...

[trseaman]

This is a fine example of why surrounding yourself with good people is necessary. In the most professional way possible, it’s time to move on. Don't worry if you've made the right decision, doing what's best for you is what counts...

Tim

[LoyalTubist]

You are doing music that everyone has trouble with accompaniment-wise. I personally would be quite scared to attempt the Hindemith Sonata without knowing my accompanist well at first. I don't want to pass judgment on either you or your accompanist, but I had academic recitals I had to change my program two weeks before the event. Fortunately, the programs were not published until the following week.

[Erin]

Your basic question seems to be "what should I do?"

Something you probably shouldn't have done is posted about this on TubeNet.

I am currently dealing with some hurtful false information that was circulated (by a poorly informed student) to the faculty of music at my school via e-mail. I bet your school, like mine, has some sort of protocol for communication within the department. I'm also willing to bet that the specified protocol probably doesn't involve ranting on a public website.

Discuss the issue with your private teacher. Go through the proper chain of command at your school. Publishing these details on TubeNet is not helpful for anyone involved in your situation and has the potential to be very hurtful to your accompanist. (It's pretty easy to track down names on the 'net- just from the information in your post I know what school you go to and who your teacher is.)

Cheers,
Erin

[Toobist]

I've had some good, bad and extremely excellent experience with accompanists. The talented and well-known tuba accompanist Jennifer Snow was kind enough to play the Hindemith Piano Concerto with Tuba Accompaniment (aka Concerto for Bass Tuba) with me on one recital of mine. Unless you have access to a really good ACCOMPANIST, not simply a pianist (Many are fine musicians, but few are great accompanists.) who knows the piece really REALLY well, postpone your recital or use the accompanist you've got. You probably need to speak to your department heads though before you assume that they'll let you postpone your recital. This may or may not be on their list of acceptable reasons to reschedule recitals.

PS: Even though this accompanist is unprofessional and a total and utter b*tch.... you may want to follow her advice about the metronome.

Al Carter