[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Brass Band Preservation Society

To: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Brass Band Preservation Society
From: J.Alexander@xxxxxxxxxxx (Jack Alexander)
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 1997 16:13:43 +1100
Priority: low
Reply-to: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I think I started the French Horn Promotion Society, so let me reply to the
tubaphoric Philip Anderton, who said:

>	The problem with adding french horns and trumpets to a brass band
>is that
>the band would lose its unique sound. The voicing of compositions for brass
>bands (and any traditional ensemble) calls for instruments to give the
>appropriate musical effect, and the wrong instruments give the wrong effect.

In a clarification to Kris Richardson I said:

    > > I should have made my point  clearer.  Of course if you substitute
a French horn
    > > for a tenor horn (or trumpet for cornet) in a standard brass
orchestration there
    > >is a problem with balance, but it would be a different matter if the
music were
     >>written specifically for these instruments.

Nevertheless, there are occasions when a French Horn may not be out of
place.  F'rinstance, in Born Free there are some horn calls which are
electrifying if there is a  French Horn
 in the ensemble.  Of course, Born Free may be a transcription, not an
origial brass band  composition...but that's another thread.

Philip then depressed his 5th valve long enough to say:

>	Those who chose to belittle the Eb tenor horn and Bb baritone horn in
>favor of the french horn would do well to listen to some of the excellent
>arrangements which capitalize on the tenor horn's unique tonal and lyrical
>capabilities, played well.

I don't think anyone is belittling the Eb horn, but there is no doubt that
a French horn can achieve things (mainly in tone and attack) which an Eb
horn can't quite achieve.   Why couldn't brass bands evplve to include one
French horn, just as they include a Flugel to add variety to the top end?

Anyway, my real concern (in Australia atleast) is finding young dedicated
Eb horn players, whereas there's lots of the French ones.
And no-one has belittled the baritone horn - a true tuba, overshadowed by
its noisy conical cousin the euphonium.   Nothing can replave this
magnificent instrument


>	Sorry to sound pedantic - but I am. There is a snobbish school of
>thought
>here in Sydney which treats brass bands and their saxhorn instruments as
>inferior.

I join with Philip in bemoaning this attitude, but how has it come about?
Was there a conspiracy?   Or maybe the movement (in Australia) has let
itself down by its own negative and/or conservative self-image?
>
Finally, Philip refers to "Brass Band Preservation Society".  I thought
"preservation" was sometthing you did to something which was already
dead...

Jack Alexander
First Baritone Horn
Waverley Bondi Beach Band
Sydney    AUSTRALIA


--
unsubscribe or receive the list in digest form, mail a message of 'help' to
listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Prev by Date: Re: Brass Band Preservation Society
Next by Date: The Baritone
Previous by thread: Re: Baritone/Baritone
Next by thread: Re: Brass Band Preservation Society
Index(es):
- Date
- Thread