Should Orchestral Musicians Put On a Happy Face?

[Saul]

http://www.andante.com/article/article.cfm?id=26181

[Morigan]

I recognise the picture on the article... it's Pinchas with the NACO!

[FideLeo]

Zukermann has always been virulently anti-HIP (especially after he famously lost his 'duel' to Jeanne Lamon of Tafelmusik a few years back in a CBC popularity test of back-to-back Vivaldi 4 Seasons performances) and look, that's why he's unable to put on a happy face!    Seriously, the article suggests that string players appear less happy than their colleagues in the brass, woodwind and percussion sections.  Perhaps the pressure to play in perfect unison with a bunch other people (reminders me of foot soldiers in a march) is simply unbearable. 

[Anne]

What to say!  That audience sounds so petty.  I'd 10 times more prefer that the musicians concentrate on making the music sound beautiful than to have them grinning like chessy cats.  Some people will complain if they're hung with a new rope!

[Brian]

Seriously, the article suggests that string players appear less happy than their colleagues in the brass, woodwind and percussion sections.  Perhaps the pressure to play in perfect unison with a bunch other people (reminders me of foot soldiers in a march) is simply unbearable. 

Of course, the flip side is that, if you're the principal trumpet or timpanist and you screw up, it's a lot more noticeable.

[knight66]

Quote  "Sarah Gee, the director of communications for the CBSO, says that one woman told them that her enjoyment of a concert had been wrecked by a dour musician. 'She caught one of the musician's eyes and gave him the thumbs up, but he lowered his gaze. It destroyed the evening for her.' "

Some people need to get out less.

Mike

[Mozart]

I've always wondered how the orchestra members don't burst out in laughter after seeing the way some people conduct.