Andrew Bain and Dale Clevenger: two Principal Horns in very different situations

December 15, 2012 8 Comments

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One of the many quotes from my recent interview with Danny Rothmuller, retired Associate Principal Cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, that didn’t make it into my original posts (Part 1 HERE and Part 2 HERE) was the following observation:

“French Horn is the only fallible instrument in the orchestra.  Any other instrument, if you play a wrong note, it’s your own fault.  But if a horn player misses and hits a clam, you can’t always blame them, and you kind of feel for them when it happens.” (Daniel Rothmuller)

So assuming that tolerance for horn miscues (even at the world-class level) is higher than it would be for other instruments, when does it cross the line from misfortune to malpractice?  Wherever that line is, an increasing number of people feel that the Chicago Symphony’s Dale Clevenger is getting there — if he hasn’t crossed it already.

Lisa Hirsch’s most recent post on Iron Tongue of Midnight mentions the latest online article chronicling  the list of grievences of the CSO’s legendary Principal Horn, and Lisa points out extra-musical issues which complicate the situation.

For my part, I sympathize with those hoping that such a well-regarded musician would step down gracefully and either take an emeritus position or retire outright.  At the same time, I’ve actually heard the sub-par playing about which the critics are talking.  In my review of the CSO’s appearance at Segerstrom Concert Hall earlier this year, I wrote:

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A leisurely chat with cellist Daniel Rothmuller (part 2 of 2): the LA Phil’s former Associate Principal shares his stories, opinions, and post-retirement plans

September 28, 2012 14 Comments

Continuing the interview with Daniel Rothmuller, recently retired Associate Principal Cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic: In the first part of the interview (HERE), Mr. Rothmuller and I chatted about his influences as a newcomer to the LA Phil, as well as stories and opinions about various conductors – especially Carlo Maria Giulini – and LA Phil orchestra administrators. In this second part, we cover a broader range of topics, including

  • Becoming Associate Principal Cello with the LA Phil, his experience with past Principal Cellists, and the support he’s received from the other cellists in the orchestra
  • Learning from and playing with Piatigorsky and some of the other legendary classical musicians of the past 50 years
  • Working with Witold Lutosławski as he prepared to play the West Coast premiere of the composer’s Cello Concerto
  • His future plans
  • And more

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A leisurely chat with cellist Daniel Rothmuller (part 1 of 2): the LA Phil’s former Associate Principal shares his stories, opinions, and post-retirement plans

September 25, 2012 3 Comments

If you’ve followed the Los Angeles Philharmonic at all during the past 40+ years, you’ve undoubtably seen Daniel Rothmuller.  He’s a tough guy to miss.

In concerts, not only did his role of Associate Principal Cello put him at the front of the stage, he had the habit of being the only gentleman to liven-up his black-and-white  concert formal wear with a splash of bright red.  After concerts, he was regularly seen holding court with friends and musical luminaries at the restaurant on the ground floor beneath the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (variously known throughout the years as Otto Rothschild’s, Otto’s, and now Kendall’s).

Even on video, Mr. Rothmuller tends to pop up seemingly more often than others.  Two examples:

  • In One Minute, Maestro, a 1984 documentary for Finnish TV,  there is the outspoken cellist remarking immediately after Esa-Pekka Salonen’s US debut with the LA Phil:  ”I always wait for the concert.  A lot of conductors, a lot of musicians — people can do things at rehearsals, but the only thing that really counts is the performance:  see how that comes off.  And that came off even better than I thought it would.”  He later adds, rather presciently, “I feel he will be, I think, a real star.  There’s no doubt about it.  I mean, he’s so good.” (You can view it HERE, on the “Celebrate Salonen” website, if you search for “1984″ and fast-forward the video to about 4:28.)
  • In Huell Howser’s behind-the-scenes look at the orchestra’s 1993 tour to the Lucerne Easter Festival (Switzerland), there he is again, this time being asked about how his assigned Stradivarius (aka “Cello Rothmuller”) gets its own frequent flyer miles.

That’s all about to change.

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At the LA Phil, some faces in new places

September 27, 2011 7 Comments

Daniel Rothmuller, Associate Principal Cello Emeritus

The Los Angeles Philharmonic is getting ready to kick-off their 2011/2012 winter season with an all-Gershwin gala this evening. Gustavo Dudamel will be conducting Cuban Overture, An American in Paris, and Rhapsody in Blue with the 71-year-young Herbie Hancock serving as the distinguished soloist.  (If you can’t make it to Walt Disney Concert Hall tonight, the concert will be broadcast live on 91.5 FM KUSC and streamed online by both KUSC and American Public Media).

According to various sources, Thomas Hooten will be joining the orchestra as guest principal trumpet for this concert, staying on for the weekend’s subscription concerts, then returning later in the month for more subscription concerts and the orchestra’s trip to San Francisco.  Mr. Hooten will not be the only musician unfamiliar to regular LA Phil audiences.  A quick scan of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s online roster shows that all the moves I mentioned in my previous posts (HERE, HERE, and HERE)  have become official.  Two of the newcomers happened to have been quite busy over the past couple of months

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