mazzrick

Ed,

So oddly enough, I've played more piccolo trumpet in this June than I think I ever have before. I played a concert at the Bach Festival in Leipzig, a Bach Overture and Handel's Water Music, the Fasch Concerto with also with a small chamber orchestra, and then a Messiah, twice. Now the two things I wanted to discuss with both you and the forum, were one: the practical difficulties of playing a piece like the Messiah, or Christmas Oratorio, where you have to sit around for an hour and then play... and two, the other interesting aspect of playing piccolo trumpet outdoors.

In Leipzig, the concert starting at 10 pm and was on an outdoor stage. Now there was absolutely no acoustic on this stage, and the piccolo trumpet really doesn't feel good outside. On top of that, it was cold for June 13th. If I didn't play for three bars, the horn was a quarter tone out. Not good for Bach. So I think it went well and the recording sounded good, but it was no cakewalk. I was wondering if you or anyone had any suggestions on playing outside? I ended up just tuning the instrument cold and pulling out if I kept playing long enough to heat the horn up.

As for Messiah, Christmas Oratorio, when played in cold churches in December, we're faced again with a difficult situation of not playing for over half an hour and then having a solo and the horn is cold. I've recently been able to convince conductors to allow me to play the first part of the Messiah from off-stage so I can sit in a side room and relax for the first hour. I think that's what is intended by "da lontano." And if it's not, I highly recommend it anyway.

But with all of these choral pieces, we have the worst pacing of any music around. I've started getting a hang for when to start heating the instrument up and softly buzzing under the choir movements, but I think it would be interesting to hear some tricks of the trade. Also, the first of these two Messiahs I played, I realized about 5 minutes in that I should have used the washroom before we started. There were also no intermissions. The only other time I had to pee so badly was when I was stuck in the boarder crossing between Canada and the US for 3 hours, with a standard transmission. I'm sure The Trumpet Shall Sound never seemed so long.

Matt

ecarroll

Matt,

I'm just getting back into the TM saddle after an unbelievable Chosen Vale.

Interpreting "da lontano" literally in Messiah once allowed me to open a Christmas season concert at Alice Tully Hall with a concerto and then rush across the street to Avery Fischer to play Messiah. Great fun and yes, it allows you to slip onstage just before Hallelujah and remain warmed up for the rest.

Re cold churches (and yes, they always are in Northern Europe), a practice mute helps and you can occasionally quietly play along with the choir with that. Short of that you can buzz along with the bassi. Otherwise you have to suck it up, my friend.

Fond memories of the G trumpet rekindled,
EC

ecarroll

Matt,

2 tricks: always play longer outside or whenever you find yourself in a dry acoustic. Also, keep your horn snuggled up against your gut and even inside the flap on your coat, if you're wearing something formal.

If these fail, close your eyes and think of McGill.

Cheers,
EC

Vulgano Brother

Try Jephta at 54 degrees sometime--being bored is ok, being cold is ok, but not both at the same time! Ed's suggestions are all wonderful--my experience has been that after playing the W.O. a zillion times in German churches, it becomes automatic. Your suggestion of tuning cold is excellent as well, but be prepared to pull out a bit during long enough rests., and if playing a marathon Theil I-VI, be prepared to pull out a bit more for Theil VI.

Sounds like you had fun anyway!

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rowuk

When playing outdoors, I try to blow more into a solid music stand to get a reflection back to my ears.
Cold churches can be tamed with pocket warmers available at any german "Kaufhaus". They are reusable and stay warm for about 4 hours!

Vaude Taschenwärmer - Rucksack.de

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