Inauguration Music?

[Alex F]

There's a fair amount of speculation on the Internet Cello Society (http://www.cello.org" target="_blank) site as to what Ma was playing. It was reported earlier that he was to play a carbon fiber cello but this was apparently not the case. Ma owns a number of cellos - he was definately not playing the Strad.

The carbon fiber cellos are made by Luis & Clark. As one might imagine, they have their advocates and non-advocates.

The use of non "tonewood" strings is not all that new. There were a whole bunch of aluminum double basses made under the Pfretzschner name that the Army used in WWII. They pop up from time to time - unfortunately.

[Dan Schultz]

.....There were a whole bunch of aluminum double basses made under the Pfretzschner name that the Army used in WWII. They pop up from time to time - unfortunately.

Conn made an aluminum upright bass.

[JB]

I'll add my voice to those awestruck by the ability to play well and in tune on icy cold horns. I also noted that the string section had what looked to be a complete set of carbon fiber instruments. Does anyone know how long they have had these and who made them? I'm not sure what instruments Perlman and Ma were playing. Ma was definitely not using the Davidoff Strad cello he normally uses for indoor concerts. That was probably a wise choice.

Check out the NY TImes article from a couple of days ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/19/arts/ ... 9carb.html



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[Frank Byrne]

Perlman, Ma, McGill, and Montero were recorded in advance and were "synching" to the recording. There was really no other viable way to get through that music in the cold. The fact that they were recorded comes from the most credible source (the guy who recorded them).

[windshieldbug]

Perlman, Ma, McGill, and Montero were recorded in advance and were "synching" to the recording. There was really no other viable way to get through that music in the cold. The fact that they were recorded comes from the most credible source (the guy who recorded them).

That only makes good sense, and I, for one, do not feel slighted the least. The pitch was WAY too good to be live in that cold!

[Rick Denney]

Perlman, Ma, McGill, and Montero were recorded in advance and were "synching" to the recording. There was really no other viable way to get through that music in the cold. The fact that they were recorded comes from the most credible source (the guy who recorded them).

I don't doubt it, but I'm curious. How does a string player pretend? It seems to me that if bow is being dragged over string, some sort of sound will issue forth.

Rick "wondering if people near them heard truth" Denney

[windshieldbug]

The Frigid Fingers Were Live, but the Music Wasn’t

But then, can you trust the Times!?

[Dan Schultz]

The Frigid Fingers Were Live, but the Music Wasn’t

But then, can you trust the Times!?

That was a VERY well done performance. It just wouldn't have made any sense to try to do it live.

[Dean E]

I can't forget the international quartet that performed John Williams' "Air and Simple Gifts."

Yo-Yo Ma (Chinese-American)
Anthony McGill (African-American)
Gabriela Montero (Venezuelan-American)
Itzhak Perlman (Israeli-American)

. . . . On the other hand, why refer to their ethnic heritage at all? If they played as fabulous musicians, let that fact speak for itself. It doesn't bother me that Montero may not be an American citizen. I think that their performance should be the point, not their heritage.

You are absolutely right, Alex, about not generally identifying people by their gender, color, race, ethnicity, religion, or physical characteristics. Rarely are such attributes relevant to the discussion because they are discriminatory. They have no place in writings—unless relevant to the topic.

However, a compelling ideal of this inauguration and administration is its inclusiveness and its objection to prejudice, discrimination and exclusion. That is what I noticed, and that is what made me proud of the events and participants. Others may have differing opinions.

[Alex C]

I understand your point, Dean. However, I can think of no better way to be inclusive that to ignore the thing that is used to divide a people.

Additionally, and tangentally related, when a people dwell on their heritage they can become mired in the conflicts of the past. The hatred between tribes in South Africa is only a small example. The Middle East conflict is not only religious but made a most personal conflict, partly because someone's relative was killed decades ago by someone from another heritage and revenge is demanded. Ireland's bloody strife not only cost the lives of thousands, it probably stopped thousands from reaching their potential in hundreds of different ways. All of this stoked because there was always an injury perceived to have been personal.

I actually see traits emerging in this country which could lead to the same atmosphere. Have you ever seen such vitriolic hatred being spewd about over politics? The dividing line is becoming clear, "disagree and you are a mortal enemy." There is rarely a civil conversation involving political ideals in this country. Even The Boss found it necessary to kick at an outgoing president he disagreed with. How's it ever going to get better?

I for one think the one of the best things you can do is to ignore the things that seperate us in a superficial way.

[eupher61]

wow...it was recorded, yet the mix was so bad that the clarinet was inaudible for the last couple of minutes? I figured it was lousy mic placement, or the player moving...but wow. The mix was pitiful, in my opinion.

[TubaRay]

Even The Boss found it necessary to kick at an outgoing president he disagreed with. How's it ever going to get better?

Sad, but true.

[Carroll]

I don't doubt it, but I'm curious. How does a string player pretend? It seems to me that if bow is being dragged over string, some sort of sound will issue forth.

Rick "wondering if people near them heard truth" Denney

Yo-Yo Ma said (on NPR today) that they soaped instead of rosined the bows so no sound was made. The piano keyboard was de-coupled from the hammer mechanisms, as well.

[sloan]

The Frigid Fingers Were Live, but the Music Wasn’t

But then, can you trust the Times!?

That was a VERY well done performance. It just wouldn't have made any sense to try to do it live.

Which raises the question: why *schedule* an outdoor performance with string instruments in January in the first place?

[sloan]

So...it's bad when Jessica Simpson does it, but it's OK for Yo Yo Ma?

Who was the idiot who thought this was a good idea in the first place?

Yo Yo Ma claimed (in the NPR interview) that this is standard practice for the US Marine Band. So...was *their* performance
live, or was it lip synced, too?

[note that the actual answer doesn't matter so much as the fact that it's now a reasonable question to ask!]

Strings (including the piano) just don't belong outside in the first place. Bands are expected to play outdoors in questionable weather - but they shouldn't be expected to sound the same (or attempt the same music?) as they do indoors in a controlled climate.

I don't really blame the musicians - but off with the head of the bozo who put it on the program.

I'm reminded of a yearly concert (now abandoned, I think) held locally on Halloween. The ASO play(ed?) on a temporary stage set up in the middle of a square. When the weather was acceptable (a decent bet even on Halloween in Birmingham, AL) this seems like a nice idea. But...when the weather was cold and wet, the concert (at least once) went forward with the entire stage wrapped in plastic sheets that completely hid the orchestra from public view (and very effectively muffled the sound - except for the two large speakers). There was zero sense of presence of the players - who might just as well have been performing in the concert hall and transmitting the sounds to the speakers. Or, they might have just played a recording. There was essentially zero point in having the actual musicians on-site.

There's a reason that football marching bands don't include violins...

[Cameron Gates]

Yo Yo Ma claimed (in the NPR interview) that this is standard practice for the US Marine Band. So...was *their* performance
live, or was it lip synced, too?

The Marine Band and Army Herald Trumpets were not taped. What you heard is what you got.

As for the question of "why a string group", I Heard that the President asked Ma to put the piece together. Ma had the piece written and assembled the musicians. I believe it was pulled off as well as it could possibly have been under the ambient conditions. One would have to think that they would have chosen to perform live if the conditions were passable. When the President wants something on his special day he gets it. The musicians just had to swallow their pride.

I am glad that the band played live. Staying somewhat active made for a much better time than sitting and thinking about how cold it was.

[tbn.al]

I am glad that the band played live.

Me too! I enjoyed the program a bunch. Knowing what the conditions were, I kept marveling at the quality of sound I was hearing. A GREAT performance considering the conditions.

[KarlMarx]

Is this the piece discussed?:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/Ma-Friends

Carolus back in the barrack

[Alex C]

There's a reason that football marching bands don't include violins...

Actually, in the 1970's, one company designed an amplifier-and-speaker for strings which could fit into a shako so that the strings could, at last, march.

It didn't catch on.

Can you imagine wheeling basses around the field? They'd probably end up in the pit.

[sloan]

There's a reason that football marching bands don't include violins...

Actually, in the 1970's, one company designed an amplifier-and-speaker for strings which could fit into a shako so that the strings could, at last, march.

It didn't catch on.

Can you imagine wheeling basses around the field? They'd probably end up in the pit.

Let's not forget Woody Allen and his cello...