Great quote from Heifetz!
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20041219-9999-mz1a19musica.html
Thanks Jim,
I really enjoyed that article.
Great stuff.
Slan,
D.
To each their own, but I’d rather not get too emotionally attached to a long hard shaft that I hold in my mouth and finger.
Oddly, I’ve been wondering recently if it happens that sometimes the orchestra hires the instrument rather than the player. What I mean is, say you’re an good but nothing special professional violinist but you’ve got a half a million dollar violin. Will you get the job over someone who’s techically better but, because of an inferior instrument, sound worse? It’s bizarre to think of having the right equipment being such an important part of the job.
Also, a story: a few years ago, I was in a several-car pileup and my car rear-ended someone. When the driver got out, the first thing she did was pop the trunk and pull out her cello and examine it. She was a player with the San Francisco Symphony on the way to rehersal. I tell you, I just about had a heart attack. I knew there was no way my insurance would be able to cover something THAT expensive, not to mention I would feel pretty bad about ruining a beautiful old instrument. Fortuneately, it was fine. Whew.
No. Instruments don’t play themselves. Orchestras pay musicians not instruments.
Another thing to consider here is that unless the lackluster musician found the million-dollar strad at a flea market and the seller didn’t know what they had, they would not have that instrument at all. Even if for some reason they had the scratch to buy it for what it is worth, the knowledgeable seller (or in most cases lender/benefactor) would not allow it to fall to semi-skilled hands. The would recognize the true value of the instrument rests not in the price tag, but in its fullest use.
You can’t be serious.
I wonder what you would say if the next time you have a flat tire the mechanic showed up with a banana instead of a lug-wrench.
Orchestras should have some whistle players. What a saving on instrument costs!
Oh, I meant MUSICAL equipment. Obviously, in other jobs–plumber and mechanic leap to mind–the equipment is totally a part of it. I think with a tow-truck, the equipment IS the job! Sorry, I was unclear.
And as for my other musing, I was just going off on a day dream. You know, let’s say someone who was born rich and can afford a million dollar violin but doesn’t put in the work to be able to play as first class as the instrument is. It is, admittedly, an unlikely situation. I guess I’m picturing someone from the wealthy elite who decided “orchestral violinist” was the cool thing to do as a career (since he doesn’t need the money) and could afford to get the best instrument. Does this make sense?
On the other hand, recently I saw a big choral production and the soprano soloist, while nice-sounding, was weaker than the alto, tenor and bass she sang with. She was, however, incredibly good-looking and, I later found out, VERY wealthy. I couldn’t help but wonder if her advantages had something to do with her getting the job. Although the choir was playing the singers to be there, I guess she doesn’t need the money.
I don’t know–I suppose, in music as in most other professions, a lot of it is who you know!