| Author |
Subject |
Tim
Janof
Administrator
(4/1/01 9:19:53 pm)
Reply |
Mischa
Maisky is a god!
We've all probably heard about the
time a violinist broke three strings in concert and played the rest
of the concerto on one string. Well, I saw a variation on this last
night. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief.
Maisky
performed the Dvorak Concerto in Bellingham. Shortly after the
opening Quasi Improvisando he broke his A string. Being the
consummate showman that he is (and thankfully sparing the audience
from having to hear that eternal orchestral introduction again) he
continued playing without so much as missing a beat, though there
were one or two slightly out of tune notes, since he was now playing
high up on the D string.
Naturally, I couldn't wait to see
how he handled the sextuplets that occur after the second theme.
Instead of playing them on the A-D-G strings, he simply played them
higher up on the D-G-C strings. And he did pretty darn
well!
Well, as you know, when a string breaks, the forces on
the cello are significantly different, which often results in
another string breaking. Sure enough, just as he was about to finish
the cadence that ends on a low D (#8 in the International Edition),
his G string broke. Oh my god, what a disaster!
Now, any mere
mortal would stop and either grab an instrument from the cello
section and keep on playing, or stop the whole thing, put on a new
string, and start the concerto over. Not the great Mischa Maisky! He
continued playing with just his D and C strings. Whoa!
What
was most remarkable was how he played the next set of sextuplets. He
actually played them entirely on the C string, way way up high. Now
here's somebody who has practiced his same-string arpeggios! Even
Feuermann probably couldn't do that!
Well, he made it through
the rest of the first movement with remarkable poise and remarkable
technical clarity. Fortunately for my nerves, he decided to put on
some new strings before the 2nd movement started (and changed to a
different colored shirt, naturally). But what a thrilling evening!
Mr. Maisky, I tip my hat to you. You put us all to
shame.
|
G
M Stucka
Registered User
(4/1/01 9:45:49 pm)
Reply |
And a
Happy April Fool's to you too, Tim!
|
AaronReeves
Registered User
(4/1/01 10:08:42 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Mischa Maisky is a god!
wow! very impressive.
|
Paul
Tseng ICS Staff 
Administrator
(4/2/01 10:53:41 am)
Reply
 |
Re:
Mischa Maisky is a god!
That's truly impressive,
Tim.
I'm not sure he quite fits the "god" status though. 
Quote:
Mr. Maisky, I tip my hat to you. You put us all to shame.
And while I'm sure I'd have
stopped and changed my string, I'm not feeling particularly ashamed
of myself because I don't have Maisky's unique "sound". 
Paul Tseng
My Website
Alexander's website
MP3!
Edited by: Paul
Tseng ICS Staff at: 4/2/01 10:53:41
am
| |
Email This To a
Friend
Topic Commands
(Moderator only)
MP3
Resources 