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Re: The composers view

To: <brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: The composers view
From: "David Lancaster" <david_lancaster@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 11:57:29 -0000
References: <e0.cf13641.2754d7fb@aol.com> <TEv3dXAYgAJ6MwLu@grove4.demon.co.uk> <1410mu-1NBaMaC@fwd00.sul.t-online.com> <000601c07196$e43203d0$fc6ae540@rmccubbmain> <3A27C714.9D3AC4AE@sympatico.ca> <142JJe-1CGZxAC@fwd03.sul.t-online.com> <3A2AF22B.79C84810@sympatico.ca>

Dave Buckley wrote:

> Obviously my literary to brass composing comparison was not meant to be
exact but to
> indicate that both the poetic forms and the brass band form have
limitations within
> which the composer must function. In the brass band the form says you
write for sop,
> solo, 1 and 2 cornet, rep, flugal, 3 horns, 2 baritones, 3 trombones, 1 or
2 euphs ,
> Eeflat and Bbflat bass and percussion. You must use all the parts if you
are writing
> for a contest and non contesting players in bands will not be happy if you
don't
> write for them too. In literary terms then, a haiku or a novel.
Limitations but in a
> different form.

I'm not sure that we need look so far as literature.  String quartets
without cello parts are not thick on the ground, nor are piano solos for one
hand only, although there are exceptions (just as there are in band scoring,
such as the two flugels in 'Dances and Arias' or 'Moon and Mexico').  All
forms of composition provide limitations, whether tonal, harmonic, timbral
etc. - that's a big part of the challenge for the composer.  Band music is
by no means unique in this respect and I must admit that it bothers me a
little to hear so much about the limitations of writing for band.  The piano
(for example) is essentially much more monochrome but obviously no-one ever
told Debussy.

I find it more difficult to compose for concert band where there is a much
wider range of colours and far fewer possibilities to blend instrumental
sounds...

David

--

Follow-Ups:
- Re: The composers view
  - From: Stephen Watkins

References:
- Re: Trombone Quartets
  - From: JDSheard1
- Re: Trombone Quartets
  - From: David Taylor
- The composers view
  - From: Stephen Watkins
- Re: The composers view
  - From: Robin McCubbin
- Re: The composers view
  - From: David Buckley
- Re: The composers view
  - From: Stephen Watkins
- Re: The composers view
  - From: David Buckley

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