DubbaCTrumpetMSU

Well, Ed, I don't know if you'll read this one, but my senior recial for my undergrad is done. I posted in his forum about preparing for solo performances and whatnot. I'm curious to see what some people say about it. I think it went very well. Here's the program:

Ernst Sachse-Concertino for Trumpet and Piano
Benjamin Britten-Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury (playing 2nd)
Giacomo Puccini- Nessun Dorma
Eric Ewazen- Sonata for Trumpet and Piano
George Gershwin, Arr. Turrin- Someone to Watch over Me

Anyway...I think it went pretty good. There were spots here and there, especially in the Ewazen 1 and 3, but there are always spots. This was my first real 'solo recital' in the fact that I was playing more than one piece, about 45 min worth(usually you just perform once a semester, or more if you want, but mostly just one piece, not a solo feature). There were some big cracks in the Ewazen, but I think it was ok. My pianist played that...with a broken wrist, by the way. Insane... :) The Gershwin is one of my favorites, special to me in that I played that song for my fiancee when I proposed, on the same stage I played this recital on.

All in all I think it turned out okay. I'm upset about the Ewazen in places(especially the double tongue and the giant A in the first mvt that I blew..and some in the 3rd. But, when is it perfect...when people tell you they cried, that's when it's a success, I believe...anyway, if anyone is interested in actually hearing things...let me know and I will figure out a way to post them...(someone might have to tell me the easiest process.)


Russ

DarkKnight88

That is one fine program that you did. Good choice! Especially with "Someone to Watch Over Me". I played a short solo during that selection when I was in high school. Its one of my favorites!

DubbaCTrumpetMSU

Thanks. I love that song, especially for the reasons I listed up there. It gave that performance quite a bit of meaning for me. I hope it's enough to score me some good money for graduate school.

DarkKnight88

Yeah, you always need all the funding for grad school that you can get.

ecarroll

Russ,

Good for you. Congratulations. Now do it again :)

Best,
EC

DubbaCTrumpetMSU

Thanks, Ed. I'm curious to see what some artists in/around TM think, such as yourself. I've got to see if I can find someplace that will host them so I can link to them.

DubbaCTrumpetMSU

Just in case anyone actually wants to hear it....MySpace.com - Russ Robinson - IOWA PARK, Texas - Classical - www.myspace.com/russrobinson021906 is the website you can hear most of the pieces at. I'm curious to see what some think.

Russ

Firestas'1

Russ,
Sounds great, I especially enjoyed the Nessum Dorma.
That's a great story behind your selection of Someone to Watch Over me, that's always been a favorite of mine as well.
Best of luck!

DubbaCTrumpetMSU

Thanks, Stan. Other than that flak on the last A, it was just like I wanted it. A lot of people said they got pretty emotional during Nessun Dorma and Someone to Watch over Me. That, I guess means more to me in terms of success than playing things perfectly. There were some good spots in the Ewazen, but some made me cringe-I didn't take a very long break before starting it, and halfway through the first movement, I realized that I should have.

DubbaCTrumpetMSU

Anyway, I learned a lot about performing, and making music in general, especially after my lesson today and after really reflecting on things. Of course, the focus as a performer is usually "I shouldn't have missed those notes" or "I should have tongued that softer" or whatever it may be. While I do have my fair share of grievances, indeed, about the performance, I am reminded again and again that the music, not the performer, comes first-therefore, when I drew that kind of emotion from audience members, that should tell me that I'm at least somewhat on the right track. I'm finally seeing that it's more than just the notes on the page, and how many of them you play perfect. It's not about perfection, it's about bringing more to the performance than just the notes. Despite missing notes here and there, I felt like I was on the right track of transferring the notes on the page to a story, a story that can draw out emotions in people.