Arriving at the site of this summer's conference, the University of Evansville (Indiana, USA), with advance program information consisting only of the names of featured guest artists Laila Storch (oboe) and George Goslee (bassoon), some of us thought that our three coming days might be spent mostly in business meetings and visits to the displays. Our fears were totally unfounded. Ed Lacy, our host and conference chairman, had prepared for us one of the most well-balanced, interesting, and well-rehearsed programs ever given at an IDRS meeting. We were happily kept occupied (and very interested) from start to finish.
Included in this summer's program were: Cornelia Biggers, giving a clinic-demonstration on The Contra-Bassoon; a talk on Contemporary American Oboe Techniques by Richard Rath; performance of the 1977 winners of the IDRS Composition Contest (four different new works); a lecture-performance on New Techniques of Oboe Playing--Problems of Execution given by Swiss oboist Rudolf O. Duthaler; a full evening recital by George Goslee, solo bassoonist of the Cleveland Orchestra (assisted by Gregory Davis, piano--Beverly Lacy, harpsichord, and Vsevolod Lezhnev, cello).
Mr. Goslee's concert included:
On the second day of the conference, Mr. Goslee presented a talk on bassoon playing, reed making, and performing with the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell; a recital was performed by the Georgia Double-Reed Quintet (2 oboes, English horn, and 2 bassoons):
John Corina and Margaret Grabb, oboes
Patrick McFarland, English horn
James Burton and Ronald Waln, bassoons
Laila Storch presented a talk on oboe performance, teaching, and some new M. Tabuteau stories; an hour (far too brief) was shared by James Laslie and David Straubinger for information and demonstrations of double reed instrument repair and maintenance; Donald Hardisty led a reading session of music for double reed ensembles, ranging from duos (Villa-Lobos and Alan Hovhaness) to large mixed ensembles (multiple oboes down to contra bassoons). The second evening's performance was a first for IDRS conferences --a recital completely devoted to works for one wind instrument and string chamber ensemble:
The following artists performed admirably in all the quartets, Mr. Lezhnez also in the Mozart Sonata:
Delmar Pettys, violin
Margaret Salomon, viola
Vsevolod Lezhnez,
cello
The third and final day's program included: a lecture/demonstration by Charles Lipp on Contemporary Bassoon Techniques; a recital by the Festival Reed Trio, (clarinet, oboe, and bassoon),
Elizabeth Camus, oboe
David Wright, clarinet
Edwin Lacy, bassoon
assisted by James Bursen, trumpet
Patrick McFarland gave a clinic/demonstration on The English Horn to conclude the discussions, and the final concert was presented by Laila Storch, brilliant oboist of the Soni Ventrorum woodwind quintet residing at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Ms. Storch performed:
The instrument, reed tool and accessories, and music displays were again excellent this summer, and ample time was allowed for members to spend time each day at the exhibits. Bassoonists attending were especially grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Nielsen of Nielsen Woodwind Instrument Service in Chicago. Not only was there a very complete display of reed tools, cane, and other fine quality accessories always available by mail from Nielsen, but a large selection of new Heckel bocals was on hand for trial and purchase (for those interested); quiet practice rooms and a Strobo-Conn tuner were also available for the most thorough testing. We hope that this will be a practice which is continued at further meetings of the IDRS. Bocals by mail are almost always 'the wrong one.' It was also very nice to see a Heckel bassoon on display (I believe for the first time at an IDRS conference), thanks to Wichita Band Instrument Co., Inc., which sells new and used woodwinds.
The two business meetings of the Society were extremely important this year because of the financial difficulties we are incurring. It was very gratifying to this editor to see the sincere, thoughtful, and very helpful reactions of every IDRS member present at the conference.
Daniel Stolper and I announced that starting with the first newsletters of 1978, there will be a combined single newsletter for oboe and bassoon. This will replace the system of separate newsletters we have used since IDRS's inception. Because this newsletter, "To the World's Bassoonists" pre-dated the IDRS by two years, we originally thought it best to maintain the format and add a completely separate oboe newsletter. This has worked very well and to everyone's satisfaction as far as quality and appearance. But we have been taking a financial beating on both printing and mailing costs by using a system where 7 separate publications are mailed to IDRS members each year (3 bassoon newsletters, 3 oboe newsletters and the Annual Journal). When the newsletters are combined, there will be a total of four mailings only. Be assured, however, that we plan no reduction in either content or style of the combined newsletters. We will save considerable space by printing only one President's message, one set of Society announcements, composition contest information, etc. This will give us space for one or two extra articles and features in each combined newsletter. Dan and I will probably alternate these "extras," and all IDRS information will be located in a regular spot in the new publication--for easy reference and similar attention in each issue. We also will include some advertising in the newsletter for the first time. It will be possible to print individual small ads (i.e. reeds or instruments for sale), and commercial ads similar to the ones which now appear in the Journal (perhaps these will be a bit smaller). Full details and information about the new combined newsletter (oboe/bassoon) and directions to all advertisers will appear in the 3rd issue of the 1977 newsletters.
The members selected meeting sites for the next three summers
1978 - Los Angeles, California
1979 - Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (there will be a completely new music facility by 1979, and Ohio State has asked IDRS to be the first conference attending)
1980 - either Great Britain (United Kingdom -- possibility of near London or in Edinburgh, Scotland, or France (Paris or another location), subject to our correspondence with Contributing Members Albert Glotin and R. de Gourdon (Lorée) and with our colleague Maurice Allard. The IDRS will announce full plans as soon as we receive a substantial offer. There is an excellent possibility that the Society will book a charter flight for its members' overseas crossing.
Two Honorary IDRS members were nominated and elected by unanimous vote: Mr. Benjamin Kohon, former solo bassoon of the New York Philharmonic during the Toscanini years; and Monsieur Robert deGourdon, director of the Lorée establishment. IDRS is honored to welcome these exemplary artists to this place of recognition in our Society for all their efforts in behalf of the art of music and particularly for double reeds.
An official photograph of IDRS members present at the Evansville conference was taken near the arts building where our meetings were held. If the photo does not appear in this newsletter, it will be featured in Vol. VII, No. 3, due for publication in December,- 1977. This marks a "first" for the Society. It will form part of the permanent record of IDRS at the Intravaia Memorial Library . And in the coming summers, the Executive of your Society hopes the size of this group will increase by hundreds of members--enjoying the important and unique benefits of IDRS Annual Meetings.
Don Christlieb announced plans for the 1978 Los Angeles conference. He has already asked several well-known California composers to write special fanfare and other music in honor of the IDRS conference, and he has arranged for professional hornists, trumpeters, and percussionists to join us in a gala performance of the Handel "Fireworks" music. Plans are also being made to begin a feature which will spotlight many young artists who are beginning to fill important symphony positions in the U.S.A., Canada and abroad--a special concert of soloists exemplary.
Musical impressions which were especially memorable at the Evansville conference were--of course - the two recitals by IDRS feature guest artists, Laila Storch and George Goslee. Most bassoonists have heard Mr. Goslee either in person or on recordings only through the medium of his outstanding orchestral playing in the Cleveland Orchestra. So it was a special treat to hear a full solo recital of most interesting bassoon literature played by Mr. Goslee. The Heckel # 8204 of 1944 with its favored 1946 (acquired) Heckel cc 2 bocal seems an extension of George Goslee in every way. His smooth tone, artistic musicianship, and his always vibrant style provided for us all a beautiful evening of music.
Of all the students of Marcel Tabuteau I have heard in solo performance, in my ear the player whose tone most reminds me of the great former solo oboe of the Philadelphia Orchestra is Laila Storch. Her performance combined virtuosity with a broad expansive "bravura" cantabile. And the particular way she climbed to the oboe's altissimo register was extremely right and strong. Her performance was a delight throughout a most difficult program. We should make it a point to hunt up all the Soni Ventorum Quintet's recordings since their Seattle residency; along with four other exceptional wind instrumentalists, Laila Storch certainly holds a pivotal position.
It was also nice to hear such a variety of kinds of music: reed trio (an entire program, beautifully done), double reed quintet, contemporary solos and duo, and the very welcome addition of music for single oboe or bassoon with string ensemble. IDRS conference host and Secretary, Edwin Lacy somehow found time to play in at least two concerts - and it was a pleasure to hear his excellent bassoon performance.
To all IDRS members: make it a point now to plan the trip to Los Angeles next August. We will get advance information to everyone much earlier with our new combined newsletter format. And, if possible, we will arrange a charter flight for IDRS members from somewhere in the Mid-West. August, 1978--CALIFORNIA (IDRS) BOUND!