{"id":44124,"date":"2019-04-24T19:55:56","date_gmt":"2019-04-24T23:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=44124"},"modified":"2019-04-24T19:58:38","modified_gmt":"2019-04-24T23:58:38","slug":"liszts-ten-reasons-to-miss-a-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2019\/04\/24\/liszts-ten-reasons-to-miss-a-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"LISZTS | 10 Reasons To Miss A Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A list of all the ways that artists and concert-goers alike back out of concerts, each one more colourful than the next.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Are you just not in the mood to attend that show tonight? Here are some ways that artists and concert-goers alike can back out of concert engagements, reasons that may or may not be out of their control.<\/p>\n

Unorchestrated Transport Woes<\/h3>\n

Uninformed airline crew members occasionally stray from the protocol for handling oversize instruments, even after adequate preparation has been made by the flying musician. In one instance, a cello belonging to Kremerata Baltica was initially grounded en route to Toronto. Without the cello, the ensemble would have had to suspend that evening\u2019s concert in Koerner Hall. Happily, the instrument was delivered 30 minutes before showtime.<\/a><\/p>\n

A Health Scare<\/h3>\n

Pianist Martha Argerich continues to be a force of nature at the keys. However, she experiences crippling stage fright before every performance. She occasionally cancels concert appearances for reasons such as this, leaving concert organizers to search for a replacement at the last moment. The plus side is that the stage is opened up to other promising musicians.<\/p>\n

Tight Border Control<\/h3>\n

Between recent travel restrictions and lagging artistic support, musicians will have to reconsider whether their performance activities will be politically sound, in destinations such as the US.<\/p>\n

Wrong Church<\/h3>\n

Make sure you note the right city before driving out to that choral concert \u2014 there is a St. Andrew\u2019s Presbyterian Church in each of Kitchener, Campbellford, and Kingston, and so many more across Ontario!<\/p>\n

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Lost Passport<\/h3>\n

Because the artist can\u2019t take listeners on a voyage if he can\u2019t make the trip himself. Cue Daniil Trifonov<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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Home Comforts<\/h3>\n

For two piano greats, the show would not go on unless they had essential possessions with them, which had to be moved to concert venues from their private homes.<\/p>\n

Glenn Gould played his concerts on his low-seating chair, from a position that allowed his arms to move freely around the piano. It was his unfailing accomplice until his death.<\/p>\n

We even made a podcast about it that you can listen to right HERE!<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Glenn
Glenn Gould (Photo: Don Hunstein)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For Vladimir Horowitz, his personal Steinway grand piano was the sole instrument that he concertized on in his twilight years; he demanded it to be shipped to the States \u2014 and all the way to Russia and back. Indeed, many of his most talked-about performances were on this piano.<\/p>\n

Music With \u201cSubstance\u201d<\/h3>\n

In Evenings with Horowitz: A Personal Portrait,<\/em> David Dubal recounts that the legendary pianist had been put on antidepressants and alcohol on the advice of his doctor. This severely impeded his playing, and critics certainly took note. Thankfully, Horowitz sought out counsel from another doctor, detoxed his routine and his performances regained their sparkle. This episode occurred as he was nearing 80 years, no less!<\/p>\n

Missing Your Stage Cue<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jonas Kaufmann and Angela Gheorghiu\u2019s duo turned into a real-life nightmare for opera singers, as Gheorghiu missed her cue to come on stage, leaving Kaufmann to improvise by himself with \u201cAh! Do we not have a soprano! (Ah! Non abbiamo un sopran!)\u201d<\/p>\n