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Double Bass Double Bass Audition Winners
- Thread starter kpo
- Start date
And everyone in the NY Phil finals are those who have studied with Levinson. Shocker!
(But good players I'm sure)
(But good players I'm sure)
Out of the four people that advanced past the first round, only one is a Levinson student, plus Finkelshteyn has nothing to do with American teachers and this is his third time as a finalist for the NY Phil.
but aren't the winners usually Levinson students?
there was an Orin O'Brien student as well I believe.
I am sure they are all great players as well. (not a sarcastic remark)
What's so wrong with that??
It's not like this stuff doesn't go on...The fact is these bassists got to the final round BEHIND a screen, so it really has nothing to do with Levinson spotting his own students...Even if he somehow could...which he can't; doesn't it make sense that a principal would want a player that is familiar with his style of playing??
Levinson's students play a weird rhythm in bach that he only teaches. I heard that he through a fit about Charles advancing. But in the end Professor slinky will win it all (meaning Levinson's job).
The kind of psychological trauma you'd inflict on students would make all the gory Levinson stories seem tame, I'm sure.
Anyone ever heard that whole anecdote about how some guy played for him in a masterclass and his response was "Okay, there are only two problems. Your right hand, and your left hand."
How do you know all of this?? And weird Rhythm in Bach?? The only thing I can think of is if they swung the notes...but that's a baroque style of playing and something that would never turn up in a modern orchestra audition...so I don't know what you mean by weird rhythm...it's either correct or it's wrong...does he like things over dotted or something?
Why would a teacher ever say that to a student? You kind of have a moral obligation as an educator and as a professional to not say stuff like that...then again, not everyone is as kind as Mr. Rabbath
.As a former Levinson student, and someone who personally knows three of the finalists, let me just vouch for them, and there abilities. Levinson student or not, Rion is an outstanding player, has won several Aspen fellowships, and played as a freelancer in New York. Anybody pursuing a DMA at Juilliard is a fantastic player, regardless of teacher or instrument.
I have heard also that Lenny is in the finals. I studied with Lenny this past summer and he is a very fine bass player. He played in Leningrad before coming to the states, where he was a freelancer in Chicago and is now the principal of the North Carolina Symphony. He has been a finalist for the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and NY Phil and frequently subs with them. I believe his credentials speak for themselves.
As far as the Levinson quote about the left hand and the right hand, yes he has said it, and yes most people take it out of context. Every student has two problems, and that is their left hand and their right hand, and every student should be constantly striving to improve. Honesty is not cruelty. Just because Mr. Levinson is always honest about playing does not mean that he is not a caring or effective teacher. Mr. Levinson is one of the most caring teachers I have had and his dedication to his students is matched by very few if any.
I am sick and tired of everybody on this forum saying that these musicians do not deserve to be in the finals because they are Levinson students, or that they are fed up with the politics. It is not unheard of for students of the principal to win the audition. The Philadelphia orchestra holds a long tradition of accepting Curtis students, and the Boston Symphony has long accepted students from NEC and other Boston area schools. This is going to happen with any orchestra where there is a major conservatory in the same city. Every orchestra has a specific playing style, and when a student studies in that city, with players who play in the orchestra, and listens to the orchestra every week of their school tenure, they are going to have an advantage. It's not politics, and it is fair. Of course the principal and a prominent teacher in the section have a little to do with it, but when you are sitting on an audition committee, you are looking for somebody that you very well might be sharing a stand with for 25 years or more, and I personally would want to accept a person that I have experience working with and that I know would be a good colleague, and stand partner.
I encourage everybody to keep their comments to themselves from now on about this matter. Mr. Levinson is a well respected player and teacher, and the NY Phil is a well respected orchestra. The auditions are fair. Any of the players in the finals deserve that job and have worked and studied bass for many years leading up to this audition. Let the system work and congratulate whomever wins the audition, Levinson student or not.
I have heard also that Lenny is in the finals. I studied with Lenny this past summer and he is a very fine bass player. He played in Leningrad before coming to the states, where he was a freelancer in Chicago and is now the principal of the North Carolina Symphony. He has been a finalist for the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and NY Phil and frequently subs with them. I believe his credentials speak for themselves.
As far as the Levinson quote about the left hand and the right hand, yes he has said it, and yes most people take it out of context. Every student has two problems, and that is their left hand and their right hand, and every student should be constantly striving to improve. Honesty is not cruelty. Just because Mr. Levinson is always honest about playing does not mean that he is not a caring or effective teacher. Mr. Levinson is one of the most caring teachers I have had and his dedication to his students is matched by very few if any.
I am sick and tired of everybody on this forum saying that these musicians do not deserve to be in the finals because they are Levinson students, or that they are fed up with the politics. It is not unheard of for students of the principal to win the audition. The Philadelphia orchestra holds a long tradition of accepting Curtis students, and the Boston Symphony has long accepted students from NEC and other Boston area schools. This is going to happen with any orchestra where there is a major conservatory in the same city. Every orchestra has a specific playing style, and when a student studies in that city, with players who play in the orchestra, and listens to the orchestra every week of their school tenure, they are going to have an advantage. It's not politics, and it is fair. Of course the principal and a prominent teacher in the section have a little to do with it, but when you are sitting on an audition committee, you are looking for somebody that you very well might be sharing a stand with for 25 years or more, and I personally would want to accept a person that I have experience working with and that I know would be a good colleague, and stand partner.
I encourage everybody to keep their comments to themselves from now on about this matter. Mr. Levinson is a well respected player and teacher, and the NY Phil is a well respected orchestra. The auditions are fair. Any of the players in the finals deserve that job and have worked and studied bass for many years leading up to this audition. Let the system work and congratulate whomever wins the audition, Levinson student or not.
Agreed, can everyone stop complaining and thinking there is some sort of conspiracy against you? I just want to hear who advanced, not why, how or anything else.
Totally agree with siba ,STOP talking trash round here.
I kind of wish this site ISN"T here but it IS,well........
With todays real time connection(internet), it kind of kills the "magic" to the process.Remember:the revolution is not televised my friends.
Remember when you start it out on the bass and everything seem "magical" ,learning a new piece, meeting a new teacher,and just that basic dream u have in the heart.Well..........this site really doesn't help with all that.
I am out baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I kind of wish this site ISN"T here but it IS,well........
With todays real time connection(internet), it kind of kills the "magic" to the process.Remember:the revolution is not televised my friends.
Remember when you start it out on the bass and everything seem "magical" ,learning a new piece, meeting a new teacher,and just that basic dream u have in the heart.Well..........this site really doesn't help with all that.
I am out baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also don't forget that when you audition it's more then the 2 or 3 bassists that are judging you. So if the two bassists love you but no one else does then you probably won't get the job.
