Monthly Archives: June 2005

Woodwind Players Blow – New Memoir Confirms

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Mozart In The Jungle

Though entirely unintentional, the short list of articles found on this blog seem to feature a high incidence of “sex in classical music” entries. I have yet to create an entire entry dedicated solely to the subject, but embedded in other articles the reader will find references to the sexual appeal of such musicians as Lara St. John, a link to a humorous – if disturbing – website called Beauty in Music (which is not surprisingly lacking in said beauty), links to articles that discuss the topic of overt sexuality in the classical music industry and at least one title of an article which should have elicited chuckles from all appreciative and even slightly cynical readers.Why the preoccupation with sexuality in classical music? I’m certain that I don’t know. Hints to the cause may be found throughout the other articles, but when it comes down to it, the secret and sordid life of bohemian musicians as contrasted with the conservative stance of many of their public and the historically prim and proper marketing and image of the industry can not help but be interesting. It is a remarkably fascinating dichotomy that sheds light on several aspects of social and interpersonal psychology and plays to our inherent love of secret and sophisticated perversion. Which brings me to the topic of today?s entry: A new book by former oboist Blair Tindall entitled Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music.

I myself have not yet read the book, having only discovered it today, but it is on my “next-to-read” list. Yet with the other mentions of this very topic here on Noumenon, I couldn’t rightfully keep this book a secret. I wanted to share it with you as soon as possible. An article from the Times Online (UK) by James Bone (I’m sure that I’m not the only one to find humor in that name) briefly discusses the book and quotes such notable passages as

Instrument players had a sexual style unique to their instrument. Neurotic violinists, anonymous in their orchestra section, came fast. Trumpet players pumped away like jocks, while pianists’ sensitive fingers worked magic. French horn players, their instruments the testiest of all, could rarely get it up, but percussionists could make beautiful music out of anything.

With writing like that, this saucy little strumpet of a book is sure to go down with such other greats as Mannix’s The Hellfire Club and Partridge’s A History of Orgies. All strictly academic, of course.

Mozart In The Jungle, Sex, Drugs, Classical Music, Lara St. John, Blair Tindall, oboe, Hellfire Club, A History of Orgies

Roderick Russell : Experimental – Debut is a Huge Hit

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After months of hard work and concentrated effort, I am pleased to report that my newest solo theater show has opened to extraordinary success.

I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous on opening night. Yet confidence was with me, as was the audience, and the night became one of the most exhilarating I’ve ever experienced.

With 100% new material exploring controversial and thought provoking topics in an avant-garde manner, I am extremely proud of this new show. I will be working over the next couple of months to tighten up the scripting, streamline blocking, and add a new and impressive lighting plot to the show. Readers will also soon see a new website devoted specifically to this one show. Check back here for details to come.

My thanks go out to many, many people for making this possible, a full list of which will be available on the website, but I couldn’t rightfully end this announcement without thanking once again the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts for their extraordinary support of my work.

Newspaper Article Plugs New Show

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Just in time for the work-in-progress show at the Flynn Center on the 23rd, Seven Days has published an extremely lengthy article on my work entitled Deep Throat – Preview: Sword Swallower Roderick Russell by Gail Rosenberg.

I’ve been trying to convince myself that the title is referencing the recent hubbub surrounding the Watergate confession rather than the string of highly stimulating films by the same title, but regardless of the reference, the article is really very good and I couldn’t have asked for a better plug. It’s featured on the front page, has a large four page spread inside and includes several photographs in both black & white and color. Also appearing in the same issue is a very large ad for the show and a full description in the calendar section of the paper. The coverage is superb.

I’ve read an incredible number of alternative newspapers from all across the nation, and Seven Days ranks amongst the best of them. I say that not only as a Burlington resident, but as a reader who discovered the weekly long before moving to the state. Well worth a look, regardless of where you are.

WBUR Picks Up Story

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I was just recently saying to a friend, in regards to doing some new radio promotion, that the audience I need to target is not the rock stations that seem to be so plentiful, but the NPR stations that I hold near and dear. And just like that – poof – the flagship NPR station of the northeast – WBUR in Boston – runs a short bit about my new work-in-progress show.

Apparently the releases that the Flynn Center recently sent out were enough to catch their attention and secure the opening sentence in their June Arts Highlights section with the following phrase: The tip of the iceberg of summer festival programming features some strange stuff, including a guy who dances while swallowing swords.

The WBUR dance critic Debra Cash goes on to say “Not only the oddest looking event of the month, but probably the weirdest of the rest of the year.” Good press if I’ve ever seen it. Debra, you’re on my invite list when I bring the show to Boston.