Tough program

[Ken Smith]

We played this program Saturday and I must say it was quite difficult and not at all fun playing the 'Oaks by Stravinsky. The Pulcinella was nice to play and the Oboe solos were beautiful to listen too from where I was sitting. The Bass/Trombone solo piece 'Vivo' was a blast. Actually, I called Bill Blossom shortly before we started rehearsals last month and he sang the part to me over the phone. That helped a lot as far as the concept goes.

At rehearsals I played 4 different Basses which included my English Gilkes (41" string length), Bisiach labeled Bass (42"), Bollbach Lion 'Simba' (41 3/4") and my newly acquired cornerless Bass attributed to Storioni (set shorter at 44 1/8th").

At some rehearsals we didn't get to my Solo at all. When we finally did, it was maybe one time thru and then on to the next thing. On the breaks, the Trombonist and I worked on it alone a few times. When it came time to do the concert I picked the hardest Bass to play length-wise to do the Concert and Solo. It came out just fine and intonation was as good as it could be. Now that my Mystery Bass is nearing its restoration completion, I am having second thoughts about shortening the string length as this bass is also close to 44" as well.

Kurt (or anyone else), What's your thoughts on switching Basses at the last minute before a Concert?