Brass Band Logo

NJH Music Logo

Some of the contents of the pages on this site are Copyright © 2016 NJH Music
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: alternative instrument for cornet players

On Sat, 25 Apr 1998, Adrian J. Raven wrote:

> Who said anything about contesting?
> I was referring to brass bands and their place in the wider musical
> world, which (some) bands have been trying to gain for many years. 
> There is more to brass bands than the endless pursuit of winning a
> silver pot.

Granted, you're right about the contesting. My point was, however, that
NABBA is providing a forum for these ensembles to perform on the same stage
as the brass bands. If there were ever an opportunity for a direct
contrast of ensembles, there it is! As a matter of fact, the Open section
is given the same test piece as the Challenge section. It was interesting
to hear Bulla's Chorale and Tocatta (a MARVELOUS piece of music, IMO)
performed by a brass band and then by a brass choir. I'd venture to say
the pure brass band sound probably got the better reception by the
audience (not to discredit the open section band; they are a great bunch
of very fine players).

Interestingly enough, there have been very few entrants into that section.
I'd like to get more opportunities to hear both groups play.

Not to sound contentious, but I have noticed you've failed to address the
argument that a great number of people still want to listen to and play
with a true traditional brass band. Orchestras, brass choirs, symphonic
wind ensembles, etc. are all great to listen to, and each has its own
distinct body of literature, tone colours, and traditions; we do not
see people attempting to infringe on those. Why must the brass band
succumb to the addition of instruments which would fundamentally change
the reason brass bands sound like they do in the first place? 

And as for composers; they are free to write for whatever group they wish,
no? No one chastises composers for writing for certain ensembles, do they?
Take Rutter's "Gloria". A magnificent piece of work, and the instrumental
score is limited to trumpets, trombones, tuba, and percussion. No one
clamors to add french horns, piccolo trumpets, and a fourth trombone, do
they? Perhaps their is a reason for this!

Regards,
Matt LaFontaine


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

[Services] [Contact Us] [Advertise with us] [About] [Tell a friend about us] [Copyright © 2016 NJH Music]