| tpter1 -
If my post sounded like I was disparaging modern band music then I sincerely apologize! I very much like the new music and now own many professional band CDs. I wish there were more professional wind ensembles like the one in Dallas. And there is indeed a much greater collection of fine, challenging, musical works for young ensembles.
But as I go to All Regional and All State concerts, I don't hear the Holst Suites, the Vaughn Williams, and the other "chestnuts" being played. This may be the only time that many of these students will be in a group of high enough calibre to perform these works. I don't want to dwell on the past but neither should we chuck it out altogther.
My point was simply that it was through playing a transcription that I made the transition to orchestral music. Even though I like band music and attend band concerts often, I still view the orchestra as the ultimate musical instrument (especially when coupled with a full choir, eg, Verdi Requiem, Mahler 8, Beethoven 9). If we hadn't played a band arrangement of 1812 in high would I have still discovered the orchestra? Probably, but I can definitely point to playing that piece as what got ME started. And I've not been hearing bands play transcriptions at all anymore.
(Aside: my 1st post on TM gets tagged ""brilliant" from Manny!! Man, I'm full of myself now...) |