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

Re: Marches + more twaddle

To: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Marches + more twaddle
From: "David Lancaster" <d.lancaster@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 13:37:29 GMT
In-reply-to: <pnTBQCATwV93IwDy@grove4.demon.co.uk>
Priority: low
References: <2CFC47A1175@RIP-STAFF1.UCRYSJ.AC.UK>
Reply-to: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

David Taylor wrote:

>  David Lancaster <d.lancaster@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes
> >
> >Sonata form was only defined and classified after 
> >Beethoven's death, so he can hardly have 'taken it' - it 
> >was a common understanding that this was how first 
> >movements were put together, 
> 
> This seems to me to be a definition - even if it is informal (which is
> the best way to have it - defining music exactly hinders originality, as
> it emphasises one way in the composer's mind to the exclusion of
> others).

I'll buy that; I was trying to emphasise that way of thinking rather 
than the 'jelly mould approach' which pre-supposes that composers 
simply take ready made forms and pour in their ideas.  I had only 
mounted my high horse when I read your earlier definition of marches 
which seemed to stress form rather than content - in the best works 
they would seem to be inseparable.

(DL).  But the best writers always break 
> >the mould: consider The Cossack, Black Knight (both Rimmer), Knight 
> >Templar and Mephistopheles - I've deliberately chosen well known ones 
> >- and I'm sure that you'll agree that they hardly conform to your 
> >definition of 'a string of unrelated tunes'.  They're so much more 
> >than that!
> 
(DT) > I can only recall Knight Templar with any accuracy at the 
moment, and
> yes it does have thematic linkages, and the various sections complement
> each other nicely, making a well rounded piece, with a whole greater
> than the sum of it's parts. Marches like these were one of the earliest
> musical things that really inspired me. 

Then I strongly urge you to get to know the others!  (PS Am I alone 
in thinking that Ravenswood is far from being Rimmer's best march - 
there seems to be a lot of rather uninspired scalic writing - look 
again at the bass solo...rant, rant, rant....)

I can't really help you about the 'kettle of fish' but I'm sure that 
someone will.

Thanks for the debate!

David 

--

References:
- Re: Marches + more twaddle
  - From: David Lancaster
- Re: Marches + more twaddle
  - From: David Taylor

Prev by Date: Re: Inspiring a Band ?
Next by Date: RE: Instruments Stolen
Previous by thread: Re: Marches + more twaddle
Next by thread: Re: Marches
Index(es):
- Date
- Thread