Drinking problems in orchestras

[Dame Hilda Tablet]

This was in the Guardian today. Apologies if this has already been posted but I did a search and couldn't see anything. I just wondered if this is as a big a problem as is being made out?


http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009...-drugs-alcohol

[Philidor]

OMG

[Florestan]

I had long assumed they were debauched hotbeds of boozing and shagging. In fact I think it was a certain Mr Philidor who told me that was his (long ago) experience of orchestral touring.

I think the problem is endemic with all kinds of live performers. People drink to steady their nerves before and unwind afterwards, there is a culture of drinking, and it gets the better of them.

[Mischa]

Indeed, the abuse of alcohol & medicaments seems to be rather common in orchestras, though it's difficult to specify numbers, the Institut für Musikmedizin in Berlin (an university institute researching health issues of musicians) published a number of 25 to 30% of musicians using meds or alcohol. A scary number, but it covers beta-blockers (the most common ones), any sort of anti depressiva and maybe the beer in the intermission. Scary anyway.

[radiomovies]

Frank Zappa wrote a great essay about working with the LSO many years ago when he bemoaned the fact that the artists' bar at the Barbican was open throughout the concert. I can't find my copy of the book but I remember him writing;
"the orchestra was roasted and so was my music..."

But - they're very different now - (I conducted them in the Summer for some recordings and it's a sackable offence to even have reading material in a session).

[Florestan]

Originally Posted by radiomovies

(I conducted them in the Summer for some recordings

*Impressed*

[radiomovies]

Don't be! - when I conduct, the right hand hits the barline and the left hand turns the pages... That's the extent of my technique...

[micrologus]

Drinking problems aren't new.

In the early 13th century, Gautier de Coincy wrote this:

I know of quite a few whose voices sooner of later go wrong if they are not thouroughly steeped in strong wine! They only manage to sing if they are warmed up with wine. But when the wine has done its work, they then can sing organum, have a high old time and move the entire monastery.
I know of others whose voices are weak and broken, but if they are fortified with good wine, they can sing as loudly as the rest of them. So they bray and bawl and run along to pray to Saint Twist, son to the bent woman, he who makes you walk crooked.

[Florestan]

That's brilliant. Lovely turn of phrase.