Andrew Stiller wrote:
On Jan 13, 2007, at 9:03 PM, Aaron Rabushka wrote:
Perhaps I should know better than to debate what is or isn't an
established
classic, but how 'bout Korsakov's Concerto for Trombone and Band
(which the
Russian in me dearly loves no matter how many others find it a
waste), and
Tchaikovsky's March in B-Flat?
I'm perfectly willing to concede both--but it changes my point not
one whit.
D.H. Bailey:
What? It doesn't change your point that there was only 1 classic band
work before the 20th century? I'm confused by your statements.
Wasn't my point. Go back and read my original posting. Carefully, this
time.
There is much more band literature from the 19th century.
Of course there is. Berlioz (et al.) didn't write in a vacuum.
That the band world doesn't make a mauseleum and perform it ad
nauseum the way the orchestral world does doesn't diminish the fact
that it's there.
It does, however, reflect on its quality. The vast majority of
little-known old music, in any genre, is little-known for good reason.
And I say this as a publisher of little-known old music. There is a
huge amount of junk music out there, and the band has attracted more
than its share. Things have been improving for a long time, thanks to
the unsung efforts of innumerable fine bandmasters, but that does not
mean there was never a problem, nor that it does not continue to exist.
Some other points. Every time the subject of band music comes up,
certain list members seem frantically eager to muddy the waters. One
brought up various historical types of band, such as the harmonie and
so on. Back into your cage, Igor! When I started this topic, I
deliberately and clearly limited my observations to the modern band. I
might add that such pieces as the Mozart Serenade No. 10 can be just as
easily (or difficultly) played by an orchestra as by a band, and are in
fact uncomfortable in either context. The Stravinsky _Symphonies of
Wind Instruments_ belongs to an entire genre of works written for the
orchestral wind section and intended to be played by it.
Somebody else sneered at my mention of massed clarinets--the very idea!
Why, next I'll be claiming an orchestra has massed violins. I was asked
what bands I might have encountered in which this phenomenon was
exhibited. Well let's see: there was my Jr. HS band, my HS band, the MD
1963 all-state band (in which I participated) my college band (both
concert and marching, University of Wisconsin, Madison), the SUNY
Buffalo band at the time I was in grad school there, almost all the
major and minor service bands--I don't think I need to go on. Some
people seem to have a rather uncertain grip on reality.
Andrew Stiller
Kallisti Music Press
http://home.netcom.com/~kallisti/
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