In that case, I suspect that the best preparation you can make is to get hold of a recording of both pieces, and listen to them while following the first horn part.
>From this, you'll see and hear which bits are prominent for the horns, and you'll be able to concentrate practice on those bits which are prominent, and particularly those bits which are prominent and difficult. You'll also get a sense for when your entries are, which is half the battle with these pieces. You can then do some practice on those most prominent and difficult bits you have identified. In the Rachmaninov, things to notice include the following 1. near the opening make sure you don't accidentally play in any rests, you have to count carefully and make sure that you are clear what the rests are (the part is probably handwritten, you need to be careful) 2. Soon after, the repeated quavers have heavy accents on the first and third beats. Play the unaccented notes softly enough that you can make a contrast 3. the slow part of the movement has a beautiful solo for alto sax. The first horn takes over the tune at the end of the solo - you want to follow the style of the sax in terms of slurring and phrasing 4. At the start of the second movement, again look carefully at the opening passage - it is across the beat. The same passage gets repeated at intervals throughout the movement 5. The afterbeats in the waltz are in strict time - this is a Russian not a Viennese waltz! 6. The rapid passage near the end of the second movement has some tricky rhythms that are worth looking over carefully 7. The start of the 3rd movement, the initial 1st horn solo have to be very legato, leaning on the short note 8. there are quite a few brief solos in the rapid parts of the movement (not just for 1st horn) with awkward rhythms and unexpected accidentals.This movement is easily the most difficult of the three. 9. In the slower part near the middle, the horns often have a swell starting on a high note, and then a drop to a lower note. The high not has usually to start quite soft and then a huge romantic crescendo to it. 10. Rachmaninov is the ultra-romantic. All the expression and dynamic range has to be about three times what you would normally expect from what is actually written on the page. Grossly exaggerate all hairpin markings. Think BIG! Does that help? Regards Jonathan West On 8 June 2010 00:03, Bill Gross <[email protected]> wrote: > I think you'll see why I said "a bridge too far." We don't have assigments > yet, they will be made during the first days rehearsal. The BSO sent all > parts for both pieces. > > (I could fall back on my major quiz strategy from college days, "either you > know it or you don't. No use craming, cold turkey is the best way. I fear > though it will be as successful as it was in my college days.) > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf > Of Jonathan West > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 5:58 PM > To: The Horn List > Subject: Re: [Hornlist] Pines of Rome / Symphonic Dances > > I've played both pieces recently, and can give you some tips. Do you know > which part you will be playing? > > Regards > Jonathan West > > On 7 June 2010 23:53, Bill Gross <[email protected]> wrote: > > > I decided to give the Baltimore Symphony Academy a try this summer. > > I'm looking for advice on what's the stuff to focus on in the music > > for the Academy. (It may be a bridge too far, music arrived to day, > > programs starts next Monday). The mailed all the horn part for Pine > > of Rome and Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances. Any one care to advise on > > what I should focus on? > > > > _______________________________________________ > > post: [email protected] > > unsubscribe or set options at > > https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/jonathanwest2 > > 2%40googlemail.com > > > _______________________________________________ > post: [email protected] > unsubscribe or set options at > > https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/bgross%40airmail.ne > t > > _______________________________________________ > post: [email protected] > unsubscribe or set options at > https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/jonathanwest22%40googlemail.com > _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
