Monday 5 August 2013

Musicians - Soloists




Mud From A Scraper
No. 6 In An Occasional Series


An instrumental soloist is a musician who, by virtue of an over-developed technique and an excess of individuality, is unsuited to playing in orchestras. His task is a thankless one, for he is always conscious that there are fifty or more performers behind him watching for flaws in his performance. A solo violinist feels that he is being accompanied by twenty players who have studied the work he is playing in detail, and who know that they could play it better. A cello soloist is more fortunate, in that he rarely performs before more than eight of his critical colleagues.

Pianists are in a happier position as they seem to be divided into two classes: a) sensitive ones, who benefit from comparison with the insensitive ones who ignore the orchestra, and b) those others who are oblivious of any hostility they may arouse.

Singers are judged by different standards. It is an old saw that people are either gifted with musicianship or with a good voice; thus a singer exhibiting the slightest trace of artistic sensibility is welcomed by an orchestra however inadequate the voice may be. The majority are praised or condemned for their intonation and the quality of voice, and except in rare cases will be unfavourably compared with famous singers of the past, not only for their voice but also looks and sex appeal. Players know little or nothing about vocal technique, but refuse to relinquish their prerogative to criticise anything in earshot.

The artistic merit of any soloist can be gauged by the amount of applause afforded to him or her by the orchestra. Most players tap their stands at the end of a concerto or aria as an act of thanksgiving that the piece is over - but it also signifies gratitude for the audience the soloist has attracted. If they continue to tap whilst the soloist is taking his second bow, it means that they approve of the performance. If they are still tapping when he is recalled for a third bow, they think he is really good. However, no player applauds after this, lest the soloist be encouraged to play an encore.

Many orchestral musicians entered their careers under the illusion that they would one day be soloists. Despite this, there is no trace of jealousy in their indictment of concerto players, for they come to realise, after fifteen years in the profession, that though there is no kudos to be gained in their work, theirs indeed is the higher calling.


29 comments:

  1. Prachtig om zo,n mooi instrument te kunnen bespelen.

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  2. lest they be encouraged to play an encore...smiles...ha...i like the view of it as a higher calling....and without need of recognition...cool look in...friko

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  3. I like the photo of the violin very much.

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  4. I like being in a band and am too self conscious to ever be much of a soloist. Just filling in is good for me. As a "hobby musician" I have never had such aspirations.

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  5. I love this little peek behind the stage curtain.
    Of course, you have special insight into this world from your own experience and your Beloved's.

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  6. Tongue in cheek - but interesting. The secret of being a soloist is, I think, not only that one can play well but that one can play a lot of pieces well. The combination of passion for the music and hard work... If anyone wonders if they have what it takes they should watch Mitsuko Uchida talking about Schoenberg's Piano Concerto:

    http://youtu.be/PmWRttCo7lo

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  7. I've wondered about the tapping of the stands. I figured it was in appreciation, but now I am filled in with the details. I really enjoyed this post, Friko. You've got a way of writing that makes me smile. That's me tapping my stand... :-)

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  8. This is fabulous, Friko, I laughed all the way through.
    I am gifted with neither musicianship nor a good voice, but my father, a musician who played several instruments, saw to it that I learned to listen. Trained listeners should have music stands to tap with a bow or a drumstick, don't you think? Applauding by clapping the hands is exhausting after one or two encores, and whistling or stamping the feet is just plain rude.
    K

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  9. This is just splendid. I know I'm going to be sharing this one around -- I think you nailed it!

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  10. You do have a way with words. Your readers very much appreciate how you .. tap out your thoughts. Blogging.. a solo act.

    I much enjoyed it.

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  11. Ha! Clever because it's all true! Thanks for reminding me why I am a temperamental soloist and not an orchestra clone




    ALOHA from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral
    ~ > < } } ( ° > <3

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  12. WHen my son was in concert band in high school, the soloist in a piece would be instructed to stand for a moment afterwards. I remember watching my son continue to sit, head down. He was very good, but did not like being singled out!

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  13. This is very well done Friko and you have stated the obvious - well done.

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  14. Great post, Frico!
    In life many people prefer to be in a group, as musicians of the orchestra. And the singers - they are always few, they are gifted and show their individuality. In life these honored people having authority but also have envious persons around as soloists in the orchestra.

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  15. How am I to stay offline when you're over here reporting on Shakespeare, and now with one of your delicious behind the scenes in music posts! Me being me, of course, I hate to think there is so much back-biting going on. I do hope sometimes, even for those who've been at it a long, long time, there remain moments of the sheer pleasure of making music. (I know it's harder when it's a job, to be sure.)

    Speaking of backstage glimpses, Contemporaneous just had their debut at a storied NYC new music venue, (le) poisson rouge. They've posted wonderful photos of their rehearsals and clearly, by all reports, had an exhilarating and plain old fun time. The house was sold out, and I can report that their performance was excellent. And if anyone doubts how much fun they're having, look at the header photo on their Facebook page here. I like to think they’ll be able to retain that sense of joy throughout their musical careers.

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  16. I was giggling all the way through this! A lot of truth in everything you say, I imagine. Ah, we humans are a funny lot! ;)

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  17. I am relatively illiterate when it comes to music, however, I see from your piece there are those who are musically literate and also critics. Everywhere in life we find critics. Mostly, I don't like them, although I have been known to criticize a few things myself. Dianne

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  18. What is true is true... :) so well said here.

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  19. Well if you are playing together then harmony must be essential and timing. I suppose unless you're doing a solo then you don't want to stand out!
    Interesting piece.
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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  20. It is good to know the temperament and placement in the music world. I bet dealing with the really artistic soloists must be a royal pain.

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  21. Thanks for sharing this bit of orchestral insider knowledge. I'll be a book could be written about the dynamics within such an organization.

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  22. Music always seems a hard life, but perhaps it needs to be, as you need to be so dedicated to do it. Have you noticed that so many musicians live to a great age? I think it's the constant exercise they do while practising.

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  23. A first violinist of my acquaintance had to be dragged back under duress after a year's paternity leave . He said he preferred teething babies to orchestra politics .

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  24. Hi Friko - What a great post .. most of which I have no idea - I'm sure there's some infighting .. yet if there's a team it works wondrously well ...

    Had no idea about the tapping .. well now I know ...

    Great exposition for us .. cheers Hilary

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  25. The hours and work that musicians put in amazes and inspires me. I myself have no musical talent but I definitely do appreciate those that do :)

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  26. Nice post, Friko. You really had me smiling and chuckling to yourself with these insightful comments. Going to an orchestral concert will be a whole new experience now.

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  27. My mom was a concert violinist. I am having her read this when she gets up.

    =)

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