Suggestions for performance 1. Translate all directions. It seems silly to say this yet, with 90% of the people I work with on this solo do not either know the terms or observe them in the music.
2. Select an appropriate tempo. This is often difficult as some conductors like to stretch out the string chords at the beginning of the movement. If the soloist takes this tempo, it will be extremely slow. A good benchmark tempo is mm. @ 56 per dotted quarter. Another good rule of thumb is to remember the tempo of the violas and cellos when they come in with the tune half way down the page. 3. Practice the solo in triplet subdivision. This will not only help you play in time, but also will help time accelerandos, rallentandos, crescendi, diminuendi. 4. Observe all expression marks Look at accents, dashes, slurs, slurs with staccato marks, sforzandi, etc. All these add expression and 'spice' to the musical line. All these little marks are performed differently. Go the extra mile to make these nuances happen 5. Listen to a variety of recordings. My personal favorite is the Cleveland Orchestra with George Szell conducting. Myron Bloom does an outstanding job. I also like New York Philharmonic (Myers), Chicago (Farkas, Clevenger), Munich (Terwilliger), San Fransisco (Krehbiel). Look and see what each conductor and artist does to the music. Decide what you wish to do based on what these outstanding musicians have done. 6. Identify harmonic suspensions, appogiaturas, and other points of expression. Let clashing notes on suspensions get weight/energy and let the resolution relax the tension. The building of tension and release is essential for the proper execution for this solo. I hope these pointers will help our young horn playing friends in helping to work up this solo. Phil Farkas called this solo the hornist's 'Lord's Prayer.' I have probably performed this symphony at least 15 times. This solo doesn't get any easier over the years. Good luck and have fun learning this solo, and the rest of the symphony. Sincerely, ===== Dr. Eldon Matlick, Horn Professor, University of Oklahoma Principal Hornist, OK City Philharmonic 500 W Boyd Norman, OK 73019 (405) 325-4093 off. (405) 325-7574 fax Conn-Selmer Educational Artist http://ouhorns.com _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Win 1 of 4,000 free domain names from Yahoo! Enter now. http://promotions.yahoo.com/goldrush _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] unsubscribe or set options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
