Re: [Harp-L] Villa-Lobos at Teatro Amazonas

[Robert Bonfiglio <bon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Oct 1, 2009, at 8:14 PM, Joe and Cass Leone wrote:

> So, the idiom takes pride in having players perform with no  
> amplification. Does this mean that even though we are a couple  
> hundred years FROM the classical era, (an era that had no  
> amplification), that amplification is taboo? Sounds rather Amish to  
> me. lolol. Why is it necessary to be UNproud when using  
> amplification? So, the harmonica can't compete unless it is played  
> unamplified? So, the amplified harmonica is UNworthy? I don't  
> understand this klepto which dictates that the only way to play  
> classical music is unamplified. Did Adler play unamplified? What am  
> I missing?

Smo-joe - You're missing the point.  Classical musicians prefer the  
acoustic sound, they are not paranoid about amplification, they just  
prefer the unamplified sound. Kind of like some blues harp players  
prefer an old amp, bullet mic sound and others like an acoustic SBW  
sound.

Classical soloists therefore spend all their time developing huge,  
powerful sounds to carry to the back of the hall.  Kind of like only  
using wood bats in the Majors but learning how to hit the ball 600  
feet with them.

The classical music era is not a couple of years old.  The Villa- 
Lobos Harmonica Concerto was written in 1955 for John Sebastian.   
Richard Einhorn's The Spires, The Cities, The Field in memory of the  
victims of 9/11 was written in 2002 for harmonica, mezzo soprano and  
Orchestra and I premiered it in 2002 on 9/11 with the Albany  
Symphony, David Alan Miller conducting, and the harmonica was  
acoustic against the Mezzo.  Classical music is very much alive.

Adler played with amplification; the point is if one develops a  
technique that one can play acoustically, why not use it in  
appropriate situations. We tried both ways in rehearsal and a major  
conductor was at the rehearsals at Teatro Amazonas and he said he  
preferred the unamplified sound.  He also said everything was clear  
and heard over the 60 piece Orchestra at the concert and that he  
wants to work with me. It's a business.    I played acoustically and  
the audience loved it.   I do not mind using amplification at all and  
I do it 75 % of the time.

harmonically yours,

Robert Bonfiglio
http://www.robertbonfiglio.com