Posted by Joe S. on February 15, 2001 at 23:59:04:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: An American in Paris--Swing or no swing? posted by Eve on February 15, 2001 at 21:13:35:
I think Tony agrees with you, except on cadenza-ish passages such as the topic passage...
One time, a conductor (very good paying gig, btw) was trying to conduct me when I was playing the "American" solo (oh, and I wasn't trying to go overboard with the schmaltz or the rubato...I like to "phrase" this solo, but "hamming it up" ruins its effect.) and I stopped and said,
"Hey, I'm having ENOUGH trouble mashing the right buttons back here withOUT you waving that stick in my face." Everyone laughed, but I DID accomplish a "stick-free" interpretation for the rest of the rehearsals and the concerts.