Let's go on with the show
May 16, 2016 10:52 AM Subscribe
Jane Little, assistant principal bass emeritus for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the world's longest-serving orchestra musician, collapsed and died Sunday during an encore of "There's No Business Like Show Business."
"βWhen I met Warren, I was very impressed that he played a small instrument, so he could carry my bass around!β says Jane Little of Local 148-462, pictured here with her husband Warren."
Bass player's husband here. Mrs. Little was definitely a pea from the same pod as Mrs. Ocschwar.
(My instrument is my larynx. It's also a bass.)
π’
posted by ocschwar at 11:30 AM on May 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
Bass player's husband here. Mrs. Little was definitely a pea from the same pod as Mrs. Ocschwar.
(My instrument is my larynx. It's also a bass.)
π’
posted by ocschwar at 11:30 AM on May 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
I thought about making this post, but you did a lovely job, much better than I would have. That Washington Post story is so much better than an obituary. Jane Little has long been a local legend here in Atlanta and will be greatly missed by the musical community.
π’
posted by hydropsyche at 11:47 AM on May 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
π’
posted by hydropsyche at 11:47 AM on May 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
She was a treasure.
I'm sad she's passed, but what a way to go.
posted by rock swoon has no past at 12:46 PM on May 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'm sad she's passed, but what a way to go.
posted by rock swoon has no past at 12:46 PM on May 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
I like the part in the Atlanta Magazine link where she describes Van Cliburn as a "delightful young person." Here is an article from the Atlanta paper in February that discusses her struggles to play despite some serious health problems and a planned retirement that she never got to enjoy. But it sounds like a wonderful life!
posted by TedW at 12:57 PM on May 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by TedW at 12:57 PM on May 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
It's sad as it always is when someone dies, but what a story on the timing of her passing. Anyone who knew her is probably saying she died doing what she so obviously loved.
posted by xingcat at 12:58 PM on May 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by xingcat at 12:58 PM on May 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
No Business Like Show Business, Irving Berlin, from Annie Get Your Gun. Opened 1946, a year after she joined the orchestra.
Anything you can do, she could do better. . .
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:42 PM on May 16, 2016 [10 favorites]
Anything you can do, she could do better. . .
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:42 PM on May 16, 2016 [10 favorites]
.
She will definitely be missed here in Atlanta. What a ride!
posted by Fritzle at 1:59 PM on May 16, 2016
She will definitely be missed here in Atlanta. What a ride!
posted by Fritzle at 1:59 PM on May 16, 2016
βͺ
posted by Smart Dalek at 2:40 PM on May 16, 2016
posted by Smart Dalek at 2:40 PM on May 16, 2016
I want to be her when I grow up. When I sang my first concert with the ASO Chorus I remember thinking "who is that amazing lady in the bass section with the bedazzled jeans and amazing hair?" (the story goes that her instrument had a lot of scratches on the back from all the rhinestones) I only wish I had ever worked up the courage to talk to her backstage - she seemed super friendly.
posted by Thomas Tallis is my Homeboy at 2:44 PM on May 16, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by Thomas Tallis is my Homeboy at 2:44 PM on May 16, 2016 [11 favorites]
Aww, but man, what a way to close her own personal show.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 3:38 PM on May 16, 2016
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 3:38 PM on May 16, 2016
This woman was unbelievably metal. Apocalyptica should do a tribute album.
posted by gusandrews at 5:39 PM on May 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by gusandrews at 5:39 PM on May 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
Wow. Since we all have to go, what a perfect exit. "No business" indeed
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posted by Fibognocchi at 7:55 PM on May 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by Fibognocchi at 7:55 PM on May 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
.
posted by oneironaut at 10:16 PM on May 16, 2016
posted by oneironaut at 10:16 PM on May 16, 2016
βShe seemed to be made of bass resin and barbed wire. She was unstoppable,β bassist Michael Kurth, who was playing next to Little when she collapsed, told The Washington Post on Sunday night.
Κ Κ Κ Κ Κ Κ Κ
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:38 AM on May 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
Κ Κ Κ Κ Κ Κ Κ
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:38 AM on May 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
.
I hope I die doing what I love.
I had the good luck to help #3 on this list, Longest Serving Orchestral Players, move his personal instruments out of the Met when he retired four years ago. I'm close friends with his grandson. Walking through the opera house and seeing that he knew and was loved by EVERYONE was impressive. From the security guards to his fellow percussionists everyone loved Richard.
I think that we've seen the last of tenures like this unfortunately, it's almost unheard of anyone without decades of experience making it into orchestras at this level now.
posted by aloiv2 at 10:24 AM on May 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
I hope I die doing what I love.
I had the good luck to help #3 on this list, Longest Serving Orchestral Players, move his personal instruments out of the Met when he retired four years ago. I'm close friends with his grandson. Walking through the opera house and seeing that he knew and was loved by EVERYONE was impressive. From the security guards to his fellow percussionists everyone loved Richard.
I think that we've seen the last of tenures like this unfortunately, it's almost unheard of anyone without decades of experience making it into orchestras at this level now.
posted by aloiv2 at 10:24 AM on May 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
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