RE: [Harp-L] Grapes of Wrath

Noah Hoehn <nhoehn@xxxxxxxxxxx> · Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:30:24 +0000

Robert,

I'm glad you assumed from the score and not the recording!  No offense taken--just thought I might have the opportunity for a learning moment.

I agree with all that you said regarding the instrumentation and treatment of our instrument.  Ricky Ian Gordon described his vision of the harmonica and banjo/guitar parts as texture; and the score bears that out.  When the producer asked if I would play in the premiere I was excited and expecting... well more exposed parts as well.  I've read the book and as you pointed out the harmonica makes a nice cameo.  Exposed solo harmonica seemed to be a very intuitive fit in my mind and clearly yours too.  But I was just hired to play what was on the page.  Your point regarding qualifications is well taken.  I guess I was hired out of scarcity?  Clint Hoover does live in town...  He may have been just as disappointed with the part as you are though :)

I was at your concert at Orchestral Hall.  I think it was 2001?  They had a small section of people sitting on risers across the back of the stage and I was one of them.  You were brilliant.  It was inspiring to watch the faces of the audience.  Jaws agape, beaming smiles, and pure astonishment were what I remember.

Peace!
Noah

CC: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
From: bon@xxxxxxxxxx
To: nhoehn@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Grapes of Wrath
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:25:53 -0500

Dear Noah,  
I meant no offense; I was just assuming. 

I made that assumption only on the basis of looking at the score and noticing there are no open solos for the harmonica; every other instrument has solos all over the place, but not the harmonica.  The harmonica mostly plays from middle C to the C an octave up, the first 4 holes on the 12 hole chromatic, or ALL in the low register while being doubled at the unison by a trumpet, or horns, or clarinets or alto sax and all plus strings. The harmonica will never be heard even with an amp.  
There are no solos for the harmonica, NOTHING is exposed. There is nothing technically challenging for the harmonica; it's like count for 40 measures and play a half note C doubled by six other players.  And this piece is begging for some nice harmonica solos.  After all, the book, Grapes of Wrath, had that wonderful quote about the harmonica.
I am a classically trained harmonica player.  I've been the soloist with your Minnesota Orchestra for a Concerto.  However, if given the percussion part for Grapes of Wrath, I could read it and if you doubled everything I played and made it simple, I could get through okay if I practiced for a few weeks.  But I would never do it because I would not feel qualified.  Every other musician in the MNO trained on their instrument at the conservatory.  The harmonica on the other hand........ The composer should have known more about the instrument and the possibilities.  If this Opera were written 40 years ago, Richard Hayman probably would have played the part and we would have something.  As it is, if this were to go on tour or to Broadway, they sure as hell won't need a harmonica player.  
Harmonically yours,
Robert Bonfigliohttp://www.robertbonfiglio.com

On Mar 9, 2010, at 1:46 PM, Noah Hoehn wrote:I happen to know the original player who played the world premiere with The Minnesota Opera and is on the PS Classics recording.  I happen to know that he worked very hard on his parts because he is... me!  It was a challenge for me to learn the music and it took me a few weeks to hone the parts.  During the first rehearsal Ricky Ian Gordon (for harp-l he's the composer) pulled me aside and was made it clear that he was very happy with my playing and admitted that he was relieved that the harmonica player MNO hired could play the part.  He also asked that I be amplified from that point forward to be heard.

All in all it was a wonderful experience to play with the orchestra.  It was music that stretched me and I worked at it.  By the time rehearsals began I was marking notes in my music about tone, dynamics and phrasing because as you mentioned, most of the parts are doubled.

The reaction from Ricky, Eric (the director) the opera staff and the players around me was all positive and I'm curious to know why you assumed the "original player probably couldn't read"?  I'm a classically trained percussionist, I did read all 58 pages of the music, and I did play mostly chromatic and switched to diatonic where necessary.  I also have listened to and played enough classical music to know that my playing probably is around a C+ at best so I'm not asking the question to be defensive.  I would honestly like to know and I think the list might learn something from your answer.

Thanks!
Noah

> From: bon@xxxxxxxxxx
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:09:31 -0500
> Subject: [Harp-L] Grapes of Wrath
> 
> I will be playing in the pit orchestra Grapes of Wrath at Carnegie 
> Hall at March 22nd at 8:00 PM. Chromatic, Diatonic and Bass Harmonica 
> - mostly doubled and covered by other winds and brass so not 
> featured. Whoever was the original player probably couldn't read so 
> they covered all his parts with a double - pity!! Needs some nice 
> harmonica solos.
> 
> And BTW Danny, I can read bass clef just fine, but I am by no means a 
> real bass harmonica player!! Like blowing into the Holland Tunnel to 
> play bass.
> 
> Harmonically yours,
> 
> Robert
> http://www.robertbonfiglio.com
> 
> 
> 

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