Classical Music for Aficionados
Each string section (1rst violins, 2nd violins, violas, cellos and basses) has a “Principal” (“Concertmaster” in the case of the 1rst violins), an “Associate Principal”, and in some orchestras an “Assistant Principal” in addition to the “Principal” and the “Associate Principal”. In some orchestras a player auditions for and would hold a specific chair in a specific stand (usually two players) in the section and that is where they will always sit. A very smart alternative method is the revolving seating method. In this method, with the exception of the “Principal” players, who will always sit in the first stand of the section, the other section players will rotate and take turns sitting in the various stands. The rotation can take place for different concerts or for different works within a concert. This allows each player to have an opportunity to sit in closer proximity to the section’s principal (and conductor) and avoids any one player having to sit in the last stand of the section which is sometimes comprised of a single player. There are very real musical advantages to this method. |
Beethoven EROICA - VARIATIONEN Bruno Leonardo Gelber (piano) Orfeo Label Recorded 1984 In the notes, they talk about and use the word 'improvisations' a lot. Maybe this should have been posted on JFA. Seems like here, the improvisations are done by the composer, not the player. 15 Variations & Fugue in E-Flat Major, Op. 35 "Eroica" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMt8IgOMjMc Another one from the dawn of the CD age. Made in West Germany DM35.80 Cheers |
Beethoven SYMPHONY NO.7 IN A MAJOR, OP.92 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Manfred Honeck, Music director Reference Recordings SACD Recorded 2015 From the Notes: "Critics did not comment on the poetic melodies, but rather on the rhythm as the main element of this symphony. Richard Wagner would later famously refer to the Seventh as "the apotheosis of the dance" and Carl Maria von Weber even remarked that with this work, Beethoven was certainly "now ripe for the madhouse." also As Beethoven wrote in his diary,... there were 18 first violins, 18 second violins, 14 violas, 12 cellos, 7 concert basses and 2 contra bassoons. We have likewise played both the fifth and the seventh symphonies in Pittsburgh with a similarly large cast. ... Additionally, we have used the Viennese classical setting of the orchestra, with the violins sitting on opposite sides of the stage, thus making it possible to bring to life the strong Orchestral drama. -- Manfred Honeck I think they succeeded. Allegro con brio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPzR6kaRsAc Cheers |
