Re: Re: Most challenging solo/excerpt

Posted by: John
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Date Posted: February 20, 2008
Subject: Re: Re: Most challenging solo/excerpt

Oh yes. My second year in college I was hired to play 4th horn with the city's symphony orchestra. One concert was the Beethoven 9th. You know that one spot where you play about a 2 measure solo, then rest a little and play another 2 measure solo? Well, I memorized with no problem and I nailed it in rehearsal each time while staring directly at the conductor. It was wonderful.

BUTT - come 1st concert night. I played them both beautifully, again staring directly at the conductor. Unfortunately I played the first phrase second and the second phrase first. At the end of the concert the conductor put his arm around my shoulder and said, "you played wonderfully and I loved your sound. There are very few people tonight who know you switched the phrases; unfortunately the donors and patrons of this orchestra know their music and they will know you switched the phrases. If you make that mistake again I will stop the orchestra and ask you to leave the stage."

I did not make the mistake again. And I enjoyed many more years of playing with the symphony.

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