Strings Challenging...

[Tenor Viol]

I play cello in a 'rehearsal' orchestra, i.e. one that plays 'for fun' and doesn't give concerts... Usually there are 3 to 5 cellos (I find the plural 'celli' weird...). Last night I found myself as the only cellist and it was new repertoire week...

So, we had Mozart overture to The Marriage of Figaro, Bach's concerto for violin and oboe in D minor (this is one of those works that exists in various keys - also available in C minor - would work with Sop sax that way!). And to finish, Glazunov symphony #4 in Eb minor (6 flats in the key signature and opening section in 9/8).

If you ever wondered why being able to 'just have a go' at whatever is shoved in front of you was a useful skill, last night was the proof. Did I play all the right notes? No, of course not. Did I play a reasonable number of right notes? Maybe was I in the right place in the music? Pretty well most of the time.

There was no point in being timid as there was nowhere to hide, so I just had to get on with it. I think I got away with it... mostly

I'll post a link to a vid of the Bach when I'm on the laptop to give you some idea...

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

View: https://youtu.be/2tfWcwk0HC8?t=640

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

View: https://youtu.be/ADiwDmFEQKg

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biU0Q_fGC7Q

 

[kevgermany]

Hat off to you. Was also sight reading something unseen last night. Horn part from Saint Sance's Harp Concerto. I was in the wrong place most of the time, playing wrong notes. The one time I got anywhere near right, I was playing MF in a Position part and, not surprisingly, got jumped on for it.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Being a glutton for punishment, tonight was the first ever concert by Chester Sinfonia... So we played Mozart overture to La Clemenza de Tito, Fauré's Pavane, Mozart Flute Concerto in G, 1st movement, Schubert Symphony No.2 slow movement, Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 slow movement; then Fauré Elegy for Cello and Orchestra and the 1st movement of Beethiven Symphony No. 3.

 

[jbtsax]

I enjoyed your post @tenorviol. I know how much string players like to play in flats. Over the years I have learned that to be successful at sight reading, players cannot let mistakes cause them to lose their place in the music. I have also learned that the rests are much harder to play than the notes.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Got home at 23.45... Day 3 of this marathon... concert inTenbury Wells with The Film Orchestra. This is the third time I've depped with them... Cue a pile of film music: The Sea Hawk (Korngold - a fave of mine), Harry Potter, Raiders March, Henry V (Walton), Up, Fontomas, Jaws Suite, Prelude from Psycho, Dream of Wolves, Gabriel's Oboe, Pirates of the Carribean - andprobably a few I've forgotten... Most of these are the full orchestral scores rather than arrangements (e.g. Korngold, Walton, Raiders, Jaws in particular)

 

[Ivan]

And not a viol in sight?