Milan Turkovic--

Sends us the address of a fine bocal maker in Austria. Several American players have been introduced to these very interesting crooks and find them excellent:

"one should try to write to him in Deutsch, but English is also OK; ask for bocal adjusted for Heckel!"

Mr. Wilhelm Koeppl
2 EHETNERG 16
A-1140 Vienna
Austria

Pacific Wind Quintet--

A Canadian wind quintet, in residence at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, recently returned from Europe where they were awarded the Prix de la Ville de Martigny in the Third International Competition for Woodwind Chamber Music, held in Martigny, Switzerland. The group, including Lanny Pollet - flute; William Benjamin - oboe; Thomas Dowling - clarinet; Jesse Read - bassoon; and Richard Ely - horn; was cited "for their remarkable performance" when given the prize. Twenty-two chamber ensembles competed and represented several European countries (we wonder if other North American groups participated? Ed.)

Prague --

33rd International Music Competition of the Prague Spring. Disciplines: Flute / Oboe / Clarinet /Bassoon Prague, Czechoslovakia, 23 April, 10 May, 1981. Eligibility: Artists of all nationalities "who will not exceed the age limit of 30 years in the year of the competition, i.e., not born before 1 January, 1951."

BASSOON 4 - 10 May, 1981 Closing day for applications: 1 March, 1981."The repertory required will be accompanied by piano. Playing by heart is not obligatory. The participants not residing in Prague will have their lodging booked and the costs of their stay in Prague covered by the Prague Spring for the period of their active participation in the competition. Accompanists will be at the disposal of candidates free of charge."

What will be the tuning pitch of A ?(Editor)
For detailed information and prospectuses, apply to: Prague Spring, House of Artists, Alsovo nábrezí 12, CS 11000 Praha 1, Czechoslovakia.

Ray Pizzi--

To be performed "this season"(news note from 24 July, 1980, Ed.):"Suite for Jazz Bassoon and Orchestra" by Henry Mancini. A work written expressly for Ray Pizzi, noted California jazz bassoonist. The work is scored for solo bassoon with a 90-piece ensemble of "elite studio musicians from the Los Angeles area."

Pizzi is currently appearing in California with his quartet at concert and studio dates. He has recorded for Blue Note, Dark Horse and Fantasy Records, and Ray has toured with such noted musicians as Woody Herman, Frank Zappa, Ravi Shankar, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis.

Rick Ranti --

Student (first year) at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy (Michigan) has won the New York Philharmonic Young People's Solo Competition (March, 1980) and will perform Weber's Andante and Hungarian Rondo with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta on December 6, 1980. Congratulations, Rick.

Mordechai Rechtman --

International Master Class for Bassoonists, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. March, 1981. The exact date and more information will appear in the 3rd issue, 1980, of The Double Reed. The brilliant Israeli Philharmonic solo bassoonist and equally admired teacher was first invited to Montreal by Richard Hoenich principal bassoonist of the Montreal Symphony and Instructor at McGill University.

THE LOOK OF MUSIC--Vancouver, B.C., Canada Exhibition of Early Wind Instruments.

November 2, 1980 to April 5, 1981, at the Vancouver Centennial Museum. More than 300 rare musical instruments, two thirds of them brought from Europe for the occasion are currently on view in thismajor exhibition. According to organizer Philip T. Young, Professor of Music at the University of Victoria, B.C., "For the first time ever Canadians and visitors from other countries can see the instruments that form the basis of our Western musical heritage. Over 75% of these instruments have never left their home museum. It is unlikely that they will ever be together in one place again, at least within our generation."

There are 13 instruments by Denner, 14 instruments (all woodwinds) from Leningrad, and nine are from Leipzig. There are 23 oboes, 19 lower oboes (d'amore, da caccia, tenor oboes, English horns, Bass oboes and Heckelphone) and 20 bassoons including 2 small bassoons and 4 contrabassoons. For additional information, write:

The Look of Music
Vancouver Centennial Museum
1100 Chestnut Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 3J 9, Canada
(604) 736-4431

Bassoonist Precious Memories

A mention of the late wonderful American bassoonist, Elias Carmen, appeared in the New York local musicians' union newspaper, April, 1980. In an article titled "Welcome Back" mentioning that Leon Barzin, the founder and conductor (1930) of the National Orchestral Association in New York, was making a return to conduct the orchestra at Carnegie Hall on May 13, 1980, a reference was made about-the legendary conductor's great wit. "He was quick with the quip. Only once was he bested in the war of words. During rehearsal, Barzin stopped conducting and was explaining a passage to the string sections. Eli Carmen, one of the great bassoonists, was his first bassoon. Eli had a gorgeous bassoon tone but his voice was extremely gravelly. While Barzin was explaining, Eli was talking quite loudly to his second bassoonist in his grumbly voice. Barzin stopped his musical discussion and said, Mr. Carmen, if you know so much about this, why don't you come up here and conduct?" Eli, who was built like a bear, slowly unstrapped his bassoon from his leg, slowly got to his feet, slowly walked through the orchestra to the podium with his bassoon in one hand. "Okay," said he slowly, "You play first bassoon."

(Thanks to Sol Schoenbach for this story. Ed.)

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