Daniel J. Wakin on Orpheus

"Oligarchs of the oboe world gathered on Monday for a private dinner. … As a precaution against old jealousies and rivalries, they were not told who was invited, but knew the name of the guest of honor: Albrecht Mayer, a principal oboist of the Berlin Philharmonic, a European star and a potential heir to the celebrated soloist Heinz Holliger. Mr. Mayer is in town to play the Strauss Oboe Concerto on Saturday night with Orpheus at Carnegie Hall. … The dinner was organized by Matthew Dine, the principal oboist of the American Ballet Theater orchestra. … Mr. Mayer, 44, who is German, was clearly the star of the show. He plays a special prototype of his own design, has released numerous recordings and carries postcards with his portrait and contacts. Yet he showed remarkable humility. 'There are so many people here that are legends,' he said. 'I’ve been hearing about them for the last 30 years.' One was Randall Wolfgang, whose playing is heard on a 1984 Orpheus recording of Rossini overtures. (He is now the principal at City Opera.) Those recordings, Mr. Mayer told Mr. Wolfgang, 'completely thrilled' him as a young oboist" ("Among Oboists, A Mutual Admiration Society," New York Times, 12/5/09).