Has anyone read "Mozart in the Jungle" ?

Alex Yates · 08-27-2005, 11:53 AM

This book is causing quite a stir in the "classical" world. I was curious if any of you have read it. I have and I must say, I was not surprised by most of its contents. Even though the author is/was a professional Oboe player (Blair Tindall) who freelanced in NYC and with the NY Philharmonic for over ten years, it can apply to ANY musician. I am not talking about all of the "misbehaving" and "substance" issues, as that is not part of my story in the classical world. I am also not talking about her seemingly ungrateful attitude concerning what she did have at one time (a career that most of us orchestra blowers would dream to have). Where I find resonance in this book is in the description of certain events when one has chosen the musical life. The frustrations, the milemarkers along the way where one considers abandoning what they love to have a normal life like everyone else, the feeling of pursuing life without a "safety net", the feeling of being a part of something seemingly insignificant in today's society, the experience of auditions, the politics involved in funding, the abuse of conductors who rape funding with six and seven figure salararies, etc. The book also has a good deal of facts that spell out the rise and fall of funding for orchestras (and art in general). I found that very interesting. The author does seem to have offended quite a few folks since most of the people she mentions are still alive and well and active in the music world. You can go to Amazon, look up this book and just read the reviews. Yikes! They alone give a good picture of the collective nerve Ms. Tindall seems to have struck. You can agree or disagree, or shake your head in disgust at some of the things she describes, but you cannot escape the fact that there is also truth in her uncovering what is the ugliness that lives in the world of orchestras and classical music.

Manny Laureano · 08-27-2005, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trompetvrouw

the abuse of conductors who rape funding with six and seven figure salararies, etc.

Yes, indeed... and aren't these the same conductors who say there isn't enough public funding for the arts in this "backwards' country?

ML

bftrumpet · 08-27-2005, 01:47 PM

I read the amazon.com reviews and found only one to be of interest. It was from her former teacher and a very prominent oboist in NYC and the orchestral profession. I will not post it here, but I suggest checking it out on amazon.com. Then check the roster for the New York Philharmonic on nyphilharmonic.org. I am going to purchase a copy of the book this afternoon and read for myself what all the buzz is about.

Ben Fairfield

wiseone2 · 08-27-2005, 01:54 PM

I am not in this book, thank goodness

Wilmer

Alex Yates · 08-27-2005, 02:49 PM

"You ask my opinion about taking the young Salzburg musician into your service. I do not know where you can place him, since I feel that you do not require a composer or other useless people.....It gives one's service a bad name when such types run around like beggars; besides, he has a large family."

-- Letter from Archduke Ferdinand's mother, upon learning of his interest in Mozart, 1771.

08-27-2005, 11:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Alex Yates Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Brand: ECLIPSE Posts: 2,401	Has anyone read "Mozart in the Jungle" ? This book is causing quite a stir in the "classical" world. I was curious if any of you have read it. I have and I must say, I was not surprised by most of its contents. Even though the author is/was a professional Oboe player (Blair Tindall) who freelanced in NYC and with the NY Philharmonic for over ten years, it can apply to ANY musician. I am not talking about all of the "misbehaving" and "substance" issues, as that is not part of my story in the classical world. I am also not talking about her seemingly ungrateful attitude concerning what she did have at one time (a career that most of us orchestra blowers would dream to have). Where I find resonance in this book is in the description of certain events when one has chosen the musical life. The frustrations, the milemarkers along the way where one considers abandoning what they love to have a normal life like everyone else, the feeling of pursuing life without a "safety net", the feeling of being a part of something seemingly insignificant in today's society, the experience of auditions, the politics involved in funding, the abuse of conductors who rape funding with six and seven figure salararies, etc. The book also has a good deal of facts that spell out the rise and fall of funding for orchestras (and art in general). I found that very interesting. The author does seem to have offended quite a few folks since most of the people she mentions are still alive and well and active in the music world. You can go to Amazon, look up this book and just read the reviews. Yikes! They alone give a good picture of the collective nerve Ms. Tindall seems to have struck. You can agree or disagree, or shake your head in disgust at some of the things she describes, but you cannot escape the fact that there is also truth in her uncovering what is the ugliness that lives in the world of orchestras and classical music.
	__________________ Alex Yates - Eclipse Artist The Virtual Trumpet Studio

08-27-2005, 01:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
wiseone2 Artitst in Residence Forte User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brooklyn,NY Posts: 2,160	I am not in this book, thank goodness Wilmer
	__________________ Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear. S.Suark 1951

08-27-2005, 02:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Alex Yates Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Brand: ECLIPSE Posts: 2,401	The dismal opening quote page to this book "You ask my opinion about taking the young Salzburg musician into your service. I do not know where you can place him, since I feel that you do not require a composer or other useless people.....It gives one's service a bad name when such types run around like beggars; besides, he has a large family." -- Letter from Archduke Ferdinand's mother, upon learning of his interest in Mozart, 1771.
	__________________ Alex Yates - Eclipse Artist The Virtual Trumpet Studio

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08-27-2005, 01:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
bftrumpet New Friend Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 20	I read the amazon.com reviews and found only one to be of interest. It was from her former teacher and a very prominent oboist in NYC and the orchestral profession. I will not post it here, but I suggest checking it out on amazon.com. Then check the roster for the New York Philharmonic on nyphilharmonic.org. I am going to purchase a copy of the book this afternoon and read for myself what all the buzz is about. Ben Fairfield

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