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 Post subject: BBC R3 - SCO - Bizet Symphony in C
PostPosted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:05 pm 
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Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:38 am
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Location: Birmingham
There's currently quite a bit of flak on the BBC Radio 3 Messageboards, regarding the horn playing in the SCO broadcast of the Bizet Symphony. :o
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio3/F7497 ... #p78867065
Anybody know who is currently playing with the SCO?


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 Post subject: Re: BBC R3 - SCO - Bizet Symphony in C
PostPosted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:16 am 
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Here's the deal from personal experience.

1) The SCO management has delusions of grandeur about the orchestra's ability fed
by sycophantic critics and propaganda. The orchestra is competent, no more than that.
It has always been thus.

2) They (Management and Conductors) will not tolerate 1 split note in a performance
if you are freelance that's you off the list.

3) They (see above) insist on using natural instruments (trumpets and horns) and
expect them to sound exactly the same as modern instruments, why I don't know.
I suspect they insist on natural horns when it's not historically accurate to do so.

4) Often they will use natural trumpets and modern horns together which just sounds
dreadful. (Beethoven 7)

5) There are at least 4 "vacancies" in the orchestra including first horn but their
website says they have no vacancies!!

6) Ypu are invited to apply for FREELANCE work that is all.

There is nothing wrong with the hornplayers who play with the SCO, the problem
lies elsewhere.

Having said all that I've listened to most of the Bizet and these guys on that BBC
Forum are talking a load of ***** about the tuning - I think they may have been
indulging in a few small libations before slagging the whole thing off or maybe just
being bad for the hell of it.


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 Post subject: Re: BBC R3 - SCO - Bizet Symphony in C
PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:31 am 
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Location: Birmingham
You are very well informed about the SCO, Chris, and have some strong opinions (quite rightly) about it and its policies etc. ;)
Have you yourself auditioned for, or played with them? Is it true that the 2nd horn has been there for about 50 years, what's-'is-name, the guy with a funny nickname... is it
'In Pursuit Of Excellence' or something?
:geek: :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: BBC R3 - SCO - Bizet Symphony in C
PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:40 am 
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Yes I have played with them, some time ago. The 2nd horn is Harry Johnstone and a
very fine player, I wasn't aware he had a "funny nickname".


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