I have just heard a masterpiece in the art of arrangement on, of all channels, the
dreaded Classic FM. This stupendous arrangement of the Mexican Hat Dance
could teach brass band arrangers (me included) a thing or three. I believe the
arranger was Peter Hope and is on a new release by the RPO and is on the
Warner Brothers Label. If someone could transcribe that for brass it'd be a sure
winner (1st section and top section only need apply )
On the subject of Classic FM, I often think about starting a spoof radio station called Classic mf, where I'm the sole presenter and introduce and eulogise about great Classical masterpieces whilst making it obvious I don't know what I'm talking about (a la David Mellor), but taking Classic FM's policy of 'titbits' to extremes, i.e just playing the opening couple of bars of say, Ode to Joy and then move on to the next five second excerpt and so on, so it then becomes a whole playlist of Classic FM meets Hooked on Classics meets Name That Tune.
Just my strange mind....
Conductor, Arran Brass. Brass Band tutor for the Workers' Music Association Summer School. Founder and director, Arran Brass Monkeys Quintet.