Carol Wincenc Masterclass
Saturday October 06 2007
I just got back from a Masterclass with Carol Wincenc, faculty on Juilliard, world renowned flute soloist, and teacher extraordinaire. It was certainly one of the more rewarding masterclasses I have ever attended, and found her both inspiring as well kind-hearted.
From a musical stand point, she did things with the flute that I simply didn’t know were possible. Her wide dynamic capability and the ability to change tonal colors on a dime (literally, from black to white) were incredible, and I came away with a heightened sense of musical awareness. One very interesting aspect was her emphasis on air control and where it came from. She said she never breathes through her nose, and that she always expands the lower back. I’ve heard of this concept from both Martin Schuring and Joe Robinson, but never quite got it all the way. I’d say my breathing comes from closer to my stomach. In any case, all of the above mentioned breath expanding your lower back (below the rib cage) outward. Interesting.
I picked up a few of her CDs. If anyone gets a chance to take in a masterclass with her, certainly do so.
Bautbois
Oct 7, 2007
I forgot to mention that Joseph Wincenc is her father’s name.
Oct 7, 2007
The name range a bell..in fact, her father was a renowned conductor (in the Greater Buffalo area, at one time assistant conductor of the Philharmonic). When I was in college around 1980, I played in the pit for a production of My Fair Lady and her father was the conductor! He was a very nice man and an excellent musician. The apple clearly fell close to the tree.
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