Ensemble Repertoire
Something musicians often forget in the daily grind of practice and rehearsal is that many of the works we play have a long history of performance practice. In order to help myself better understand the pieces I am working on, especially in an ensemble like an orchestra where there are many parts happening simultaneously, I make sure to listen to each piece several times. Not only is this helpful in a very technical way, it can also be very inspiring. Many times I start by listening to a piece I am working on, and then that piece leads me to another and then another. Sometimes it takes a few hearings to really appreciate what is happening in a piece of music, but each piece has something new and interesting to pass along. Here are just a few that I have been intrigued by recently:
Maurice Ravel Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No. 2
The sounds created in this piece are appropriately ethereal and otherworldly. It follows the Greek tale of Daphnis and Chloe, a young couple in love who face many trials before finally being able to be together. Ravel was especially interested in orchestral colors, and this makes learning the flute parts challenging but fun. Ravel also wrote a lovely solo for the alto flute in this piece, one of only a few in the orchestral repertoire.
Igor Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements
I know, everyone hears about Rite of Spring or Firebird all the time, but I have found that there's an even bigger treasure trove of orchestral Stravinsky than what is most commonly known. I love Stravinsky's harmonic progressions, and especially his quirky and playful sense of melody. This symphony is beautiful and bright and full of surprises!
Pyotr Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 in F Minor
This magnificent symphony is a monument of the orchestral repertoire. It is saturated with lyrical themes and beautiful uses of orchestral colors. From the emotive oboe solo in the second movement to the rip-roaring piccolo solo in the third to the bombastic finale, the piece in its entirety is engaging and goose-bump inspiring.
Something musicians often forget in the daily grind of practice and rehearsal is that many of the works we play have a long history of performance practice. In order to help myself better understand the pieces I am working on, especially in an ensemble like an orchestra where there are many parts happening simultaneously, I make sure to listen to each piece several times. Not only is this helpful in a very technical way, it can also be very inspiring. Many times I start by listening to a piece I am working on, and then that piece leads me to another and then another. Sometimes it takes a few hearings to really appreciate what is happening in a piece of music, but each piece has something new and interesting to pass along. Here are just a few that I have been intrigued by recently:
Maurice Ravel Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No. 2
The sounds created in this piece are appropriately ethereal and otherworldly. It follows the Greek tale of Daphnis and Chloe, a young couple in love who face many trials before finally being able to be together. Ravel was especially interested in orchestral colors, and this makes learning the flute parts challenging but fun. Ravel also wrote a lovely solo for the alto flute in this piece, one of only a few in the orchestral repertoire.
Igor Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements
I know, everyone hears about Rite of Spring or Firebird all the time, but I have found that there's an even bigger treasure trove of orchestral Stravinsky than what is most commonly known. I love Stravinsky's harmonic progressions, and especially his quirky and playful sense of melody. This symphony is beautiful and bright and full of surprises!
Pyotr Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 in F Minor
This magnificent symphony is a monument of the orchestral repertoire. It is saturated with lyrical themes and beautiful uses of orchestral colors. From the emotive oboe solo in the second movement to the rip-roaring piccolo solo in the third to the bombastic finale, the piece in its entirety is engaging and goose-bump inspiring.
