#orin o’brien

[ourmindonmusicpodcast]

Orin O’Brien: The Only Girl in the Orchestra

Orin O’Brien’s journey in music is a remarkable tale of passion, perseverance, and breaking barriers. Born into a film family, Orin was introduced to classical music early on. Initially trained in piano, her pivotal transition to the double bass at age 14 came after being inspired by a school orchestra performance of Saint-Saëns’ Rondo Capriccioso. This led her to join the orchestra, where she…

[news-buzz]

Inspirational Music Doc 'The Only Girl in the Orchestra' Teaser Trailer News Buzz

Inspirational Music Doc ‘The Only Girl in the Orchestra’ Teaser Trailer by Alex Billington November 6, 2024Source: YouTube “Orin is one of the boys.” Netflix has revealed a quick clip trailer for a documentary film called The Only Girl in the Orchestra, made by filmmaker Molly O’Brien. This 34-minute short film originally premiered at the 2023 DOC NYC Film Festival last year. It’s getting a…

[antonio-velardo]

Antonio Velardo shares: She Broke Barriers in Music. But She’s Uneasy About the Attention. by Javier C. Hernández

By Javier C. Hernández A new documentary tells the story of Orin O’Brien, a double bassist who became the only woman in the New York Philharmonic when she joined in 1966 and helped open doors for others. Published: November 15, 2023 at 10:00AM from NYT Arts https://ift.tt/u4ecV3F via IFTTT

[nyphil]

One of these things is not like the other. (Hat tip to Orin O’Brien for this bass rack idea. 💡) — @michaelthurber #nyphilharmonic #nyphil #orchestra #bassrack #allaboutthatbass #nyptakeover (at New York Philharmonic) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4niug9hxxb/?igshid=1xveyo8g6vthb

[contrabassconversations]

597: Stephanie Patterson on adult learners

Stephanie Patterson specializes in teaching adult learners.  After playing professionally for a period of time, she developed an overuse injury and had to leave her symphonic career.

Her teaching career began by accident about 10 years ago when her former hairdresser wanted to learn to play bass to do rockabilly.  Around the same time, she began corresponding with New York Philharmonic bassist and Manhattan School of Music bass faculty member Orin O’Brien. 

Through her own experiences and advice from Orin, Stephanie has developed a teaching philosophy specifically tailored for adult learners.

We dig into the details surrounding this journey in this episode.  If this resonates with you and you’d like to learn more, you can reach out to Stephanie via email.

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

  The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Texas Hill Country Bass Collective

Join them July 22 thru July 25 for our 6th annual Austin Bass Workshop at the amazing Westlake High School.  Come join friends from the Texas Hill Country Bass Collective for four days of music, bass, and fun and work with 2019 featured guest artist (and past Contrabass Conversations guest) Dennis Whittaker!

  Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

  Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host

Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing

Mitch Moehring, audio engineer

Trevor Jones, publication and promotion

Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out this episode!

[xequivocation]

@ericbrandonrp

There were moments in which recognition hit a person, so profound and bold, that it sent their muscles into a halting spasm. It was like trying to reach an itch on the middle of your back, a hair halfway down your throat, the pins and needles that prickled your fingers when you held onto something too tightly. This feeling of knowing, of really knowing somewhere in the dormant and inaccessible folds of, your brain tissue was the single most agitating sensation that plagued the threshold of memory.

 Experiencing this very predicament in real time, Orin O’Brien had abandoned his morning cup of coffee and taken to studying the face of man at a nearby cafe table instead. It was a subtle observation and his long nimble fingers hadn’t stopped idly shuffling the thin cardboard of his favorite deck of cards, the muffled snapping of their rigid edges helping to spin the gears beneath his skull plate. It was risky business to flat out make an inquiry as to whether the pair of men had been previously acquainted, especially with some of the activities Orin participated in regularly, and yet her knew it would bother him well past the coffee grounds in the bottom of his mug if he didn’t.

“D’I know ya from somewhere?” He asked simply after another moment of contemplation, furrowed brow and squinted eyes mirroring the strain that was taking place in his memory. 

“Maybe y’used t’kick me arse in school? Dated one a’me sisters? Ylook bloody familiar, mate.”

[orleff]

Вижте още едно видео от Prophets Of Rage, "Living On The 110"

Вижте още едно видео от Prophets Of Rage, “Living On The 110”

Преди седмица се появи още едно парче на Prophets Of Rage, “Living On The 110”, а сега вече имаме и официалното видео. Супергрупата е съставена от  Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine / Audioslave),  Chuck D (Public Enemy) и B-Real (Cypress Hill). Дебютът им излиза на 15 септември, продуцент е Brendan O’Brien.…

[contrabassconversations]

596: Cory Palmer on auditioning and practicing

Cory Palmer recently won the position of Principal Bass with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.  We first met in person at the 2019 Pittsburgh Double Bass Symposium, and it was great to sit down and do a deep dive on his career thus far.

We cover a variety of topics, including:

studying at Peabody with John Hood

studying with Orin O’Brien at the Manhattan School of Music

Cory’s path from Carnegie Mellon University into the freelance world

how he continued to level up his playing

refining his audition process

highs and lows along his journey

using Modacity to practice

It was a blast chatting with Cory, and I know you’ll learn a lot from his journey!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

  Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Texas Hill Country Bass Collective

Join them July 22 thru July 25 for our 6th annual Austin Bass Workshop at the amazing Westlake High School.  Come join friends from the Texas Hill Country Bass Collective for four days of music, bass, and fun and work with 2019 featured guest artist (and past Contrabass Conversations guest) Dennis Whittaker!

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host

Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing

Mitch Moehring, audio engineer

Trevor Jones, publication and promotion

Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out this episode!

[contrabassconversations]

552: Principal Bassists

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the role of the principal bassist in an orchestra:

Alex Hanna - Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Ju-Fang Liu - Indianapolis Symphony

Chris Hanulik - LA Phil

Colin Corner - Oregon Symphony and Grant Park Symphony Orchestra

Orin O’Brien - New York Philharmonic

  Listen to more “best of” episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

  Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

  Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

  Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

  Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host

Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing

Mitch Moehring, audio engineer

Trevor Jones, publication and promotion

Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out this episode!

[contrabassconversations]

561: College Audition Prep

This episode is a rebroadcast of one of those astoundingly complex projects that I love digging into! 

We’re featuring questions from double bass student Baylee Brown (still a high school student at the time of this recording and now a student at Boston University), which are answered by 27 noted double bass faculty members.  This idea was suggested by University of Texas at Arlington bass faculty member Jack Unzicker, who help design and execute this project.

A big shout-out to Baylee, Jack, and all of the faculty who took their valuable time to answer these questions!

Here’s the list of questions and the order in which they are covered:

What are the advantages and disadvantages to attending a conservatory vs. a university?

How many schools should I audition for?

What are some common preparation mistakes that you see auditioning students making?

Besides the bass teacher, what other factors should I consider when comparing schools?

Other than Performance, Music Ed, and Jazz, what other options are available for undergrads?

How early should students start preparing for their college auditions?

I am interested in auditioning at six schools; is there any flexibility in audition requirements that could help lessen the amount of combined repertoire for all of the schools?

How can I keep from getting overwhelmed by the audition repertoire requirements from the different schools for which I’m auditioning?

How do I ask for a lesson with the teacher for whom I’m auditioning? Do I pay them/ask about payment?

I play the German bow; how important is it that I study with a German bow teacher?

Learn more about each of the faculty members and their programs through the links below:

George Amorim - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Andrew Anderson - Roosevelt University

Adam Booker - Appalachian State University

Jeff Bradetich - University of North Texas

Susan Cahill - University of Denver

Timothy Cobb - Juilliard School of Music

Paul Ellison - Rice University

John Floeter - Northern Illinois University

Diana Gannett - University of Michigan (emeritus)

Kieran Hanlon - State University of New York at Fredonia

Chris Hanulik - University of California, Los Angeles

Caitlyn Kamminga - University of Trinidad and Tobago

Douglas Mapp - Rowan University

Gaelen McCormick - Nazareth College

Leigh Mesh - Bard College

Orin O’Brien - Manhattan School of Music

Volkan Orhon - University of Iowa

Scott Pingel - San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Andrew Raciti - Northwestern University

Brian Perry - Southern Methodist University

Catalin Rotaru - Arizona State University

Tracy Rowell - Oberlin College

Donovan Stokes - Shenandoah University

James VanDemark - Eastman School of Music

Nicholas Walker - Ithaca College

DaXun Zhang - University of Texas at Austin

Learn more about over 100 other United States college double bass programs in our colleges guide!

  Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

  Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

  Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

  Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host

Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing

Mitch Moehring, audio engineer

Trevor Jones, publication and promotion

Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

  Check out this episode!

[contrabassconversations]

530: Barrie Kolstein on 70 years of business

I first spoke with Barrie Kolstein for the podcast back in 2008 with my frequent co-host John Grillo.  Barrie has been in the double bass business for nearly 50 years, and Kolstein Music is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Barrie and I cover all kinds of new ground in this long-overdue “round two” conversation, including what it was like working with bass legends like Fred Zimmermann and Orin O’Brien, new product innovations like silicon rosin cases, the Busetto bass, and new flight trunk designs, how the bass world has (and hasn’t) changed over the decades, advice Barrie would give to his younger self, and much more!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

  Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host

Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing

Mitch Moehring, audio engineer

Trevor Jones, publication and promotion

Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out this episode!

[contrabassconversations]

459: Music School Auditions - Advice from the pros

This episode is one of those astoundingly complex projects that I love digging into! 

We’re featuring questions from double bass student Baylee Brown, which are answered by 27 noted double bass faculty members.  This idea was suggested by University of Texas at Arlington bass faculty member Jack Unzicker, who help design and execute this project.

A big shout-out to Baylee, Jack, and all of the faculty who took their valuable time to answer these questions!

Here’s the list of questions and the order in which they are covered:

What are the advantages and disadvantages to attending a conservatory vs. a university?

How many schools should I audition for?

What are some common preparation mistakes that you see auditioning students making?

Besides the bass teacher, what other factors should I consider when comparing schools?

Other than Performance, Music Ed, and Jazz, what other options are available for undergrads?

How early should students start preparing for their college auditions?

I am interested in auditioning at six schools; is there any flexibility in audition requirements that could help lessen the amount of combined repertoire for all of the schools?

How can I keep from getting overwhelmed by the audition repertoire requirements from the different schools for which I’m auditioning?

How do I ask for a lesson with the teacher for whom I’m auditioning? Do I pay them/ask about payment?

I play the German bow; how important is it that I study with a German bow teacher?

Learn more about each of the faculty members and their programs through the links below:

George Amorim - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Andrew Anderson - Roosevelt University

Adam Booker - Appalachian State University

Jeff Bradetich - University of North Texas

Susan Cahill - University of Denver

Timothy Cobb - Juilliard School of Music

Paul Ellison - Rice University

John Floeter - Northern Illinois University

Diana Gannett - University of Michigan (emeritus)

Kieran Hanlon - State University of New York at Fredonia

Chris Hanulik - University of California, Los Angeles

Caitlyn Kamminga - University of Trinidad and Tobago

Douglas Mapp - Rowan University

Gaelen McCormick - Nazareth College

Leigh Mesh - Bard College

Orin O’Brien - Manhattan School of Music

Volkan Orhon - University of Iowa

Scott Pingel - San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Andrew Raciti - Northwestern University

Brian Perry - Southern Methodist University

Catalin Rotaru - Arizona State University

Tracy Rowell - Oberlin College

Donovan Stokes - Shenandoah University

James VanDemark - Eastman School of Music

Nicholas Walker - Ithaca College

DaXun Zhang - University of Texas at Austin

Learn more about over 100 other United States college double bass programs in our colleges guide!

  Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D’Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets..

  Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host

Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing

Mitch Moehring, audio engineer

Trevor Jones, publication and promotion

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out this episode!

[nyphil]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by New York Philharmonic (@nyphilharmonic)

“It is a joy to play! It’s absolutely perfectly constructed and it’s luscious to play. For a string player it's very satisfying. The string writing is beautiful. The piece is very moving and very charming at the same time.” — Philharmonic bassist Orin O’Brien on Bernstein’s Serenade. @joshuabellmusic performs Serenade tonight through Oct. 31! #nypbernstein #bernstein100 @leonardbernsteinofficial #violin #string #strings #serenade #bernstein #leonardbernstein (at New York Philharmonic)

[contrabassconversations]

396: Orin O'Brien on Leonard Bernstein, Fred Zimmerman, and life in the New York Philharmonic

It is an honor and a pleasure to welcome Orin O'Brien to the show!  I've been hoping to have Orin as a guest for years, and I want to give a big shout-out to Chris Mathers for connecting the two of us!

We chat about numerous shared acquaintances, including Greg Sarchet, Miloslov Gajdos, David Grossman, Ira Gold, Ed Barker, Hal Robinson, Max Dimoff, Michael Hovnanian, Douglas Mapp, and Ron Wasserman.

More About Orin

New York Philharmonic bassist Orin O’Brien was born in Hollywood to parents in the film industry, George O’Brien and Marguerite Churchill, and received her early musical training in Los Angeles, where she studied with Milton Kestenbaum and Herman Reinshagen. She then studied in New York with Frederick Zimmermann and graduated from The Juilliard School, and is an alumna of the Music Academy of the West, now a partner in the New York Philharmonic Global Academy.

She has been a member of the New York Philharmonic since 1966, where she has played with the world’s leading conductors. She has participated in numerous chamber music festivals, including Marlboro, and in first performances of the Gunther Schuller Quartet for Four Double Basses.

She co-chaired the double bass department of The Juilliard School for ten years, and currently serves on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music and Mannes College of Music. Her most recent chamber music performances were the quintets of Schubert and Dvorak with the Guarneri String Quartet.

We dig into a wealth of topics, including:

how Orin came to study with Fred Zimmerman

how to play specific excerpts

the switch from gut strings to steel strings and the premiere of the Gunther Schuller Quartet (these two events are interlocking)

how Orin felt about being the first woman in the NY Phil (the answer will surprise you!)

how to really be a good principal player

what trips people up in auditions

New York in the 50s

Herman Reinshagen and the bass lineage of the 20th century the great premieres throughout her career

how special Riccardo Muti is as a conductor, and what makes him special - one of the living greats

what was special about the musicianship of Carlos Kleiber

how a great conductor can use imagery to inspire the orchestra

Links to Check Out:

Double Bass Notebook - amazing book by Orin O'Brien

Orin's New York Philharmonic page

the Manhattan School of Music double bass program

Orin O'Brien Tribute from ISB 2013 (arranged and conducted by Inez Wyrick and narrated by Kristin Korb)

Felix Weingartner - On the performance of Beethoven’s Symphonies (PDF)

Women in Orchestras panel discussion with Orin - Brooklyn Museum

the Miloslav Gajdos video Orin references

Corresponding with Carlos: A Biography of Carlos Kleiber

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company.  Upton's Mittenwald model is a sister to their popular Brescian model.  The contrabasses from the Mittenwald school are characterized by a high-shouldered gamba pattern with outside linings on deep ribs, resulting in a fine orchestral double bass. Our version incorporates all the ergonomic improvements and geometries found in other Upton models, with great flexibility in sizing afforded by the stout German pattern. The gamba pattern, especially when combined with a flat back, allows us to build this instrument in the 5/8ths sizing of the Kloz copy, all the way up to a large 7/8ths pattern built to lift a string section or push a big band.

Bass Violin Shop -  Offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out this episode!

[contrabassconversations]

678: Inside America's Major Orchestras

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of what it’s like playing in major American orchestras:

Chris Hanulik - LA Phil

Jeff Weisner - National Symphony

Micah Howard - Pittsburgh Symphony

Orin O’Brien - New York Philharmonic

Rex Surany - Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Scott Dixon - Cleveland Orchestra

Steve Tramontozzi - San Francisco Symphony

Tom Zera - Utah Symphony

Listen to more “best of” episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

  Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Modacity

  Modacity is a practicing app that helps musicians be more effective at practice.  They help you get the results you want, while keeping you encouraged and motivated to stick with it and reach those goals – however big, or small, they may be. 

  Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host

Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing

Mitch Moehring, audio engineer

Trevor Jones, publication and promotion

Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

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[contrabassconversations]

671: Eleonore Oppenheim on creating your own opportunities

I first learned about Eleonore Oppenheim from Contrabass Conversations team member Krista Kopper, and I knew that she’d prove to be an interesting podcast guest.  Eleonore describes herself as a “genre surfing musical polyglot,” and she explores the bass and its role as a solo and chamber instrument in a variety of creative ways.  Eleonore also recently wrapped up a long stint as the bassist for the Broadway revival of Oklahoma.

We dig into her musical background, studying with Orin O’Brien and Don Palma, the challenges involving traditional music school environments, the audition trail and what it was like leaving that, creating her 2016 album Home and how she has evolved since then, her current project The Hands Free, and much more.

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