We love this performance from Dale Clevenger of this Brahms trio. As a side note, this other chaps, Perlman and Barenboim, also seem to be ok. Enjoy!
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Courtesy of daleclevenger.com
Film Score Friday: The Mummy
This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from 1999's The Mummy. Jerry Goldsmith wrote the score for this adventure film. If you're familiar with Goldsmith's work, this score will be very familiar. We think that's a good thing. Goldsmith goes to his usual arsenal of soaring Horn interspersed with driving Low Brass. This works well with the film and helps amp up the action feeling.
Is The Mummy on your list of great Jerry Goldsmith scores? Let us know in the comments.
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Trumpet Masterclass with Håkan Hardenberger
The Royal College of Music will be streaming a masterclass with Håkan Hardenberger on Thursday, January 21.
Our first #RCMLive broadcast of 2016 is a #trumpet masterclass with Håkan Hardenberger. Tune in this Thursday at 2pm https://t.co/4LjNCSjie8
— Royal College Music (@RCMLondon) January 19, 2016Hardenberger will work with three students who have each prepared a solo piece. Be sure to check this out.
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David Bilger courtesy of philorch.org
David Bilger helped a Trumpet player from Afghanistan win an audition
“The Philadelphia Orchestra’s principle trumpet player has been mentoring a teenager in war-torn Afghanistan over the Internet. Now he’s helped the 17 year-old get into a prestigious American music school.
A year and a half ago, David Bilger received Facebook message from AhmedBaset Azizi, then 16, whom he had never met.”
This is the kind of story you love to hear. A young man, AhmadBaset Azizi, is in Afghanistan and is the one of the few in the entire county to discover the Trumpet and find a love for it. He contacted David Bilger for lessons and Bilger obliged via the internet. What a great story.
Aside from the obvious, remember the significance that this happened in Afghanistan. As recently as 15 years ago, virtually all music was banned in Afghanistan. If one had been seen with a Trumpet, or any other instrument for that matter, the Taliban would have destroyed it and punished the person who possessed it. Many of us could not imagine a world without music. This young man was born into a country that had experienced this absence of joy for years. Even now, with a new government, these same extremist forces are still present in the country. The head of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music was target by a suicide bomber. His instrument of choice is Trumpet.
The story turned into a true happy ending with Azizi winning a spot at the Interlochen Arts Academy. You can support his quest on GoFundMe.
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Film Score Friday: Mission Impossible
This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Mission Impossible. Danny Elfman wrote the score for this revival of the TV classic. It was almost from another composer though. Alan Silvestri was hired and supposedly recorded some music before being swapped for Elfman. Despite what sounds like challenging circumstances, Elfman's score succeeds.
Although the opportunities for brass to shine are not as plentiful in this score as other Elfman works, it's still worth a listen. He manages to bring in the classic theme from the original series and introduce new elements that work for the film. His best success is building tension. In a film where the prospect of getting caught while on the run is a major plot point, this use of tensions works well. The highlight of the score is the very end when the brass are unleashed. It's pretty great and it feels like the bell of the Tuba will come through your speakers.
Where does mission impossible rank for Elfman scores? Let us know in the comments.
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Sing, Sing, Sing from the Tonight Show Band
We miss the Tonight Show Band. It was great to have such a great big band to listen to every night. Thankfully, there's lots from their glory days to enjoy. Have fun with this great arrangement.
Film Score Friday: The Mask of Zorro
This week of Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from The Mask of Zorro. James Horner wrote the score for this revival of the classic hero's tale. Horner drew some of his inspiration from the score of El Cid, one of the first epics to feature historic Spanish characters.
Given the setting, it should be no surprise the prominence Horner gives to Spanish themes and instrumentation. Horns are prominent throughout the score as well. Whenever the main motive returns, it's always emphasized with horn. Trumpets get an opportunity for some lyrical solos as well.
It's a great a score that really improves an average film. While there's familiar elements from Horner, it is different from many of his other scores. The material is certainly a factor, but still it's welcome and a joy to listen to.
Where does this rank for Horner scores? Let us know in the comments.
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The Mask of Zorro on iTunes
New Year's with Vienna Philharmonic available to watch
One of our favorite ways to ring in the new year is by watching the Vienna Philharmonic's annual New Year's Day concert. As always, the concert was great. Enjoy!
New Year's Eve Broadcast Guide
There's many better options for entertainment on New Year's Eve than washed up actors making attempts at witty banter. We've included some good options below.
What: New York Philharmonic
Where to listen/watch: PBS
Program
Orpheus in the Underworld Overture-Offenbach
“Ah! que j’aime les militaires” from The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein-Offenbach
Carnival of the Animals-Saint Saens
Pavane pour une Infante défunte-Ravel
“C’est ça la vie, c’est ça l’amour” from Toi c’est moi-Simons
"La Vie en rose"-Piaf & Louiguy
Selections from Gaîté Parisienne-Offenbach/Orch. Rosenthal
“Enjoy an evening of classics with Music Director Leonard Slatkin; and timeless R&B Soul hits from Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik and American Idol finalist Michael Lynche!”
What: Berlin Philharmonic
Where to listen/watch: Digital Concert Hall
Program
Overture to L'Étoile-Chabrier
Introduction et Rondo capriccioso for violin and orchestra in A minor-Saint-Saens
Pieces for orchestra from Le Cid (Suite)-Massanet
Tzigane-Ravel
Les Biches, Ballet Suite-Poulenc
La Valse-Ravel
Merry Christmas-From our Family to Yours
Peace on Earth, good will toward men. Merry Christmas.
5 Videos to get you in the Christmas spirit
As you prepare for Christmas, here's some videos that put us in the spirit. From a concert in an Apple Store to Little Drummer Boy meets Bolero, you'll enjoy these. Happy Christmas.
Film Score Friday: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As if we could choose anything else on the day this score came out? If you're scared of plot spoilers, do not fear. There will be no plot spoilers in this post.
We're comfortable saying, without hyperbole, this is one of John Williams' finest scores. It's not the best, but certainly in the top ten.
As you know, this is the first time a Star Wars score has not been recorded by the London Symphony. Some of the members of the studio orchestra were understandably excited about the opportunity.
“Getting to be there in the trombone section was a fantasy I had really suppressed since I was in high school when the first [Star Wars] film came out!”
The scored used a 90 piece orchestra with 12 different recording sessions. We do miss the London sound, but nonetheless, it's great. The familiar themes are there, but there's plenty of new material.
Where does this rank in your list of Star Wars score? Let us know in the comments.
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iTunes is still bad, but slightly better now
To be clear, we still hate iTunes with the intense heat of a thousand suns. That being said, a recent update has made it easier to sort and search. Up until now, iTunes limited you to sorting by artist.
“This update allows you to see works, composers, and performers while browsing Classical music in the Apple Music catalog. It also includes stability and performance improvements.”
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Film Score Friday: On the Waterfront
This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from On the Waterfront. The 1954 score was Leonard Bernstein's only film score, not counting musicals.
This score did a number of things that moviegoers had never heard as movie accompaniment before. The film starts with a theme representing the protagonist (Marlon Brando) with a lone horn. This theme with the solo horn is heard throughout the film. There's lots muted brass throughout the score as well. The confounding thing is how little the music is used in the film.
Elia Kazan directed the film and is the the culprit for how little of the great score we hear. Only about a third of the film has music. Begrudgingly, we have to admit it works. When the music does return after the breaks throughout the film, it makes it all the more impactful.
THE BRASS REPUBLIC 2015 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE COLLECTION
Whatever part of the brass family your loved one hails from, there's a gift to be found for them. Happy hunting and Merry Christmas.
Featured
Dizzy on the Muppets
There were many great things about the original Muppet show. One of the best was the celebrity guests and cameos. Dizzy was a guest on season 4. There's a great running gag about how the show is in danger of breaking a noise ordinance. Oh, he sounds awesome too.
Google is Combining Virtual Reality with Concerts
Google is experimenting with quasi virtual reality and performances. Google's Cultural Institute has recorded some performances from a number of groups like the Berlin Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra.
It looks just like a YouTube video, but you can manipulate the camera angle (with your mouse) and look like around as if you were there. We must admit we enjoyed feeling like we were sitting in front of the Low Brass section while listening to Peer Gynt. This is very early days for the experiment, but it could be interesting to see where this leads and what it might mean for attending a concert someday.
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University of Alabama-Birmingham Hulsey Center for the Arts
Trumpet Festival of The Southeast 2016
The 2016 Trumpet Festival of the Southeast will be taking place next month in Birmingham. Clinicians include Joe Burgstaller and Sean Jones. The event is taking place January 15-16 and includes masterclasses, concerts, and some other learning opportunities.
If you're interested, you can register here and receive a discount if you get in before December 15th.
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The 2015 Brass Republic Christmas Spotify Playlist
We hope your Christmas season is a great one. Christmas would never be complete without good music. We put together some of our favorites in a Spotify playlist.
Included in the 2015 playlist
Golden Bells-Pittsburgh Symphony Brass
White Christmas-Jazz at Lincoln Center
A Christmas Fanfare-Washington Symphonic Brass
Bach Christmas Oratorio Finale- Pittsburgh Symphony Brass
Angels We Have Heard on High-Canadian Brass
Frosty the Snowman-Harry Connick Jr.
What else will you be listening to this Christmas season? Let us know in the comments.
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The Brass Republic 2015 Christmas Gift Guide for Tuba
Shopping can be tough. We put together a list of ideas for the favorite Tuba player in your life. These are our picks to help make a great Christmas hit with your favorite Tuba player. Don't forget about yourself either. From the Brass Republic team, we wish you and your favorite Tuba player a Happy Christmas and holiday season.
SOMETHING TO READ
This book on the legend of Arnold Jacobs gives some insight into the origins of this giant. IT draws on commentary from colleagues, master class, and other sources to paint a picture of this man who had such a massive influence on the American Tuba school.
SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO
This was a new recording released this year from theNational Brass Ensemble. This should be a part of every Brass player's collection. It's an amazing recording and one of the best brass ensemble recordings you can give as a gift.
SOMETHING FOR YOUR HORN
This gig bag from Altieri will make life easier for the Tuba player in your life. It has straps for carrying like a backpack. There's also pockets for accessories. Your favorite Tuba player will appreciate this gift of keeping their instrument safe. It's available from Woodwind and Brasswind.
SOMETHING TO LISTEN WITH
Chromecast Audio-For $35, the Chromecast audio is an inexpensive way to get music from your phone to a set of speakers or an audio system. Compatible with both Android and ios (iPhone and iPad), the Chromecast lets you easily stream music from your personal device to the audio destination of your choice.
SOMETHING TO LISTEN WITH (THE NICER VERSION)
If you're willing to spend more, a Sonos speaker can be a great gift. Sonos is a great wireless speaker system with great audio quality. It's compatible with lots of devices and lots of different music streaming services. Another great feature of Sonos speakers is they're modular. If you buy one and then get another later on, they can be combined into one big audio system.
SOMETHING FOR THE PRACTICE ROOM
This Musician's Gear stand is an inexpensive quality stand that is an excellent addition to to your practice room. The stand can be tilted to your liking. The height adjustment has a screw tightener that makes the stand rock solid and an affordable favorite of ours.
SOMETHING TO TRAVEL WITH
This bag from Bobelock will keep your music in great condition on the way to a performance. There clips to carry it on your shoulder or like a briefcase.
SOMETHING TO PLAY
This arrangement of Canzon Per Sonare #4 is an excellent addition to any brass player's library. This is an accessible arrangement from David Marlatt that works from Brass Quintets on a wide spectrum of skill levels. This piece is a great staple to have for your quintet and works from everything from a wedding to an evening concert.
We wish you all the best with your Christmas shopping.