orchtrpt

Mr. Wise,

Did you play West Side Story on Bb or C. I seem to prefer C trpt. Any thoughts on this or just go with what works best for the individual?

gus

Mr. Wise another question:

Don't you think that the mambo is played very fast in modern recordings.
I heard only modern versions and they are very fast. The
last day I have seen the movie with Nathalie Wood etc. and
the mambo was played much like a Cuban Mambo -slower- and it
sounded really great. What's your opinion?.

Thanks.

wiseone2

I was torn between the Bb and C until just before we started recording.
I thought to serve the music, that the Bb was the way to go.
I worked with Victor Paz in bands and I was trying to synthesize what I had learned from him, with the music we were playing.
I love West Side Story!
You get to wear so many hats
Wilmer

wiseone2

This Mambo was for the virtuostic display of the orchestra, not as a vehicle for the dancers.
I have to admit losing the downbeat a few times. I would have liked it a bit slower
As usual, the Mambo was the last thing recorded on a very long and intense session.
Wilmer

gus

Mr. Wise,

Thanks. If you loose the downbeat nobody wouldd hear it. Yo nailed it.

Thanks for your comments.

Gus

orchtrpt

So did you think the Bb had a better (or more appropriate) sound for this work?

Thanks

wiseone2

[quote="orchtrpt"]So did you think the Bb had a better (or more appropriate) sound for this work?

Thanks

[/quote
I went by feel, my C is a tad brighter. I try to get a consistency of sound with all my horns. Sam Krauss and Gil Johnson were in my head as models for the legit aspects of the show. The big band stuff.....I had a lot of sound models.
To answer your question..........It was a toss-up and I opted for the Bb
Wilmer

orchtrpt

Thanks Wilmer!

music matters

I played West Side Story (2nd part) a few years ago - it was challenging! Especially getting the 1st and 2nd trumpet to play well together. It improved my playing no end though and although there were a few "fudged" moments it was really fun to play. A great musical (the plot is a bit naff though!) I think you'll have a great time playing it. I wouldn't mind having another go at it to try and do a better job of it!

trpguyy

Yeah, leave it to Shakespeare to really write an awful story.... hehehe, I'm with you on this one, though. The only two people in that story who deserve to die are Romeo and Juliet. Damn kids....