Firstly, a moment of reflection on the tragedy in Japan.... …our thoughts, prayers and encouragements are with you!
1st (Re)Appearance on “Stage”
The previous You-Tube videos were to prove to myself that I am still capable of playing half decently. But all that playing with the microphones could let one wonder if I was really playing or did I do a bunch of software tweaking. So I finally got myself a web-cam for real You-Tube performances. When I tested it... well..... I'm not sure I want to show myself on You-Tube!!! 
Music dances, but should the musicians?
In an Oboe BBoard thread, we had been discussing how ridiculous some oboists look by waving their bodies and flapping their arms while playing. Well you know what? The opposite is not much better! Looking at the first web-cam video of myself, I was dismayed at sounding fine but looking like a telephone post! .... really boring!
I won’t name oboists who crack me up with their waving because the sound and feeling coming out of their instruments (well, some of them) is simply fantastic. I may not like to look at them, but I sure love to listen to them! So instead, lets see those I find have the right balance between waving and stiffness. For example:
Then I thought: "Wait a minute, when I just meditate on the piece and hum to myself, my arms, shoulders and whole body sways with the music. Surely I can do this while playing the oboe too”. 
In fact, as a conductor, my choir signers and orchestra players used to like my movements because they were technically meaningful and expressive of the musical character. But it seems that when I try that on the oboe, I just get distracted and forget what I'm playing:
CRASH AND BURN!
CRASH AND BURN!
Many of you will be surprized to read this from me, but I also believe the perfect balance of movement while playing is in Heinz Holliger!
I know I'm repeating myself, but for me, the ideal performance is Albrecht Mayer.
And in preparation for #BachChat, here's a real treat:Next Hobbyist Video:
So for #BachChat I'll put the recording of one Bach movement only when I get the hang of looking decent for the camera!
