Sharpest pair of ears leaves London Symphony Orchestra
mainHilary Jones, known to her colleagues as ‘eagle ears’, has retired from the LSO after 35 years.
They won’t sound the same without her.
Tributes here.
Discography here.
Comments
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It’s well known in the profession that Ms Jones was very unfriendly to many, including her LSO colleagues and younger extras.
Interesting. You wouldn’t have guessed that from the photo.
We all know what happened to Janacek’s Sharp-Ears…
Canon, that post seems very mean-spirited. The LSO guards its standards jealously and players don’t last 35 years unless their contribution is valued. I say Congratulations to Ms Jones.
have heard from others that she can be a tyrant when provoked by mediocrity – that alone makes her quite endearing. keeping standards up seems passe these days in some quarters.
Isn’t that Trump’s motto?
No, Rogerio – Trump is a tyrant when provoked by honesty.
No, no, piano guy wrote: “she can be a tyrant when provoked by mediocrity,” *not* that the Orange Enemy of the People *is* a mediocrity.
To be clear: I have no opinion about the cellist in question, and I do not wish to come across as equating her with the mediocrity that is the Orange Enemy of the People. That would be a profound and unwarranted insult indeed.
In 20 years, my experience has been its perfectly possible to uphold the very highest standards while still being a generous, positive and supportive colleague. Plenty seem to manage it.
Depends to some extent on the attitude of the “mediocre”, doesn’t it?
Having “eagle ears” for a musician is like having “eagle eyes” for a copy editor: sure they are right, in the technical sense, but they are also pedantic, thus ultimately superfluous in the artistic sense, in that, if no other human ear, not even other professionals, can detect the fault, then does it really matter?
“No other human ear, not even other professionals” in the orchestra does not translate to no other human ear in the audience.
There’s a difference between being able to tell that something is a bit off, and being able to tell just what it is, so that it can be fixed. And some don’t even realize that something is wrong, but nevertheless prefer the improved version.
“Only the mediocre are always at their best.” Mediocre literally means “halfway up the hill”.
Who?
Hilary Jones along with Robert Turner performed in my mother’s home in 2009 or 10. It was part of the musicians in the home program providing patrons the unique opportunity to host talented members of the orchestra in their home. It was my and my mother Nettie Ryan’s great honor (along with my sister and nephew) to have Robert and Hilary in our home. Daytona Beach, FL