Posthorn solo from Mahler Symphony No.3 (axe choice)

trumpetnick · 02-12-2008, 04:02 PM

Ed&Folks,

Though I am not looking forward to the near future to play the solo, I was having fun today with my excerpt book and got to the posthorh solo...

I know that the perfect choice would be to use a posthorn, cornet or a soprano flugel...but imagine that you got none of the above...would you consider using a C trumpet with a v shaped flugel or cornet mouthpiece with an adapter to get a more "off stage feel"? I did and find it quite nice...better then a "plain" C trumpet sound.

ecarroll · 02-12-2008, 04:34 PM

Nick,

I have a soft spot in my heart for the third Mahler. It was the first piece that I performed with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, going directly from the airport to the stage to rehearse (Jimmy Conlon). When the horns opened the first movement I knew instantly that my life had changed. By the way, I played the entire first trumpet part -- leaving the stage for the posthorn bit and returning afterwards. Yikes.

The instrument you choose to play is strictly determined by the acoustic of where you are performing from. Johnny Ware famously used to play it on the Eb trumpet and take his bow at the end holding a flugelhorn (cracked the guys up).

Since you're just fooling around with the piece, feel free to try all sorts of combinations of horns/mouthpieces. Experiment. Find solutions that sound good!

I've performed the posthorn solo in a variety of occasions on flugelhorn, C cornet, C trumpet (with felt) and Eb trumpet (from far, far away). All of these solutions worked. One bit of advice: don't play it softly. The distant sound comes from the situation, not interpretation (see all offstage playing).

Best,
EC

Jimi Michiel · 02-12-2008, 08:48 PM

Nick,

As always, Ed knows best, especially his advice on not trying to play it softly. You can sound soft without actually having to play soft.

My instrument of choice for this is a Monette C997 with a flumpet cup mouthpiece. The sound just floats out...

-Jimi

bachstrad72 · 02-12-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecarroll

Johnny Ware famously used to play it on the Eb trumpet and take his bow at the end holding a flugelhorn (cracked the guys up).

That's great!!

rowuk · 02-13-2008, 08:47 PM

Remember the significance of the mailman in days of old. There was no telephone, E'mail or other instant gratification. The post horn call raised feelings of hope, anticipation or worry during times of strife. Getting a letter was something very SPECIAL. Mahler wrote a melody that expresses the very essence of the posts position in the population of that time. To play it in modern context, you would have to make it sound like a ring tone.............................

Which horn? The Nokia!

ecarroll · 02-13-2008, 09:17 PM

Robin,

I set my horn on vibrate, personally.

Cheers,
EC

trumpetnick · 02-14-2008, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowuk

To play it in modern context, you would have to make it sound like a ring tone.............................

Which horn? The Nokia!

That was quite original and very fun, Robin!

Now, on the serious side of the road...

When I said "off stage" I did not quite mean to sound pppppppppp Probably I choose a wring expression...I was rather looking for a mellower and darker sound without risking too much on articulation and intonation...I guess that a C cornet or a soprano flugel would be prefect...or just a plain posthorn, but I got none of the above...So found that a C trumpet with a deep V shape mouthpiece is a good compromise. At least for me.

rowuk · 02-14-2008, 06:24 AM

Nick,
a real post horn has no valves and can not be used for the solo. In Germany, we have a valved version called "Fürst Pless" (http://www.melton.de/Jagd/R1174.jpg). It is tightly coiled and wrapped in green leather and has rotary valves. It has no redeeming social or musical value.

I think the horn used is insignificant, it just needs to sound like it is coming from FAR AWAY. The further "off stage" you are, the more helpful a trumpet would be. If you can't get far away, the flugelhorn or cornet have less overtones and sound more remote. I would change as little as possible, too much margin for error! An error could completely destroy the mood..........

trumpetnick · 02-14-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowuk

Nick,
a real post horn has no valves and can not be used for the solo. In Germany, we have a valved version called "Fürst Pless" (http://www.melton.de/Jagd/R1174.jpg). It is tightly coiled and wrapped in green leather and has rotary valves. It has no redeeming social or musical value.

That's exactly the horn I meant. I know that I cannnot play the solo on a "natural" posthorn.Did not know the german name though..I saw few of these in the spada shop..Socially redeeming??? I am not a posthorn religious freak

But would not mine having one of these...I'll wait though till I am asked to play the posthorn often enough to justify such a purchase...

Eeviac · 02-14-2008, 02:30 PM

It all sounds so much more romantic than "You've Got Mail!"

02-12-2008, 04:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
trumpetnick Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vidin, Bulgaria Brand: Spada Posts: 700	Posthorn solo from Mahler Symphony No.3 (axe choice) Ed&Folks, Though I am not looking forward to the near future to play the solo, I was having fun today with my excerpt book and got to the posthorh solo... I know that the perfect choice would be to use a posthorn, cornet or a soprano flugel...but imagine that you got none of the above...would you consider using a C trumpet with a v shaped flugel or cornet mouthpiece with an adapter to get a more "off stage feel"? I did and find it quite nice...better then a "plain" C trumpet sound.
	__________________ Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C Spada Bach C 2b6, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C 1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet Spada Custom Piccolo If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

02-12-2008, 04:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
ecarroll Artist in Residence Forte User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NH/CA/PQ Posts: 1,311	Re: Posthorn solo from Mahler Symphony No.3 (axe choice) Nick, I have a soft spot in my heart for the third Mahler. It was the first piece that I performed with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, going directly from the airport to the stage to rehearse (Jimmy Conlon). When the horns opened the first movement I knew instantly that my life had changed. By the way, I played the entire first trumpet part -- leaving the stage for the posthorn bit and returning afterwards. Yikes. The instrument you choose to play is strictly determined by the acoustic of where you are performing from. Johnny Ware famously used to play it on the Eb trumpet and take his bow at the end holding a flugelhorn (cracked the guys up). Since you're just fooling around with the piece, feel free to try all sorts of combinations of horns/mouthpieces. Experiment. Find solutions that sound good! I've performed the posthorn solo in a variety of occasions on flugelhorn, C cornet, C trumpet (with felt) and Eb trumpet (from far, far away). All of these solutions worked. One bit of advice: don't play it softly. The distant sound comes from the situation, not interpretation (see all offstage playing). Best, EC

02-12-2008, 08:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jimi Michiel Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MN/NY/TX Brand: Monette Posts: 1,643	Re: Posthorn solo from Mahler Symphony No.3 (axe choice) Nick, As always, Ed knows best, especially his advice on not trying to play it softly. You can sound soft without actually having to play soft. My instrument of choice for this is a Monette C997 with a flumpet cup mouthpiece. The sound just floats out... -Jimi
	__________________

02-13-2008, 08:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
rowuk Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Brand: Nat, Piston, Rotary Posts: 3,506	Re: Posthorn solo from Mahler Symphony No.3 (axe choice) Remember the significance of the mailman in days of old. There was no telephone, E'mail or other instant gratification. The post horn call raised feelings of hope, anticipation or worry during times of strife. Getting a letter was something very SPECIAL. Mahler wrote a melody that expresses the very essence of the posts position in the population of that time. To play it in modern context, you would have to make it sound like a ring tone............................. Which horn? The Nokia!
	__________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

02-13-2008, 09:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
ecarroll Artist in Residence Forte User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NH/CA/PQ Posts: 1,311	Re: Posthorn solo from Mahler Symphony No.3 (axe choice) Robin, I set my horn on vibrate, personally. Cheers, EC

02-14-2008, 06:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
rowuk Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Brand: Nat, Piston, Rotary Posts: 3,506	Re: Posthorn solo from Mahler Symphony No.3 (axe choice) Nick, a real post horn has no valves and can not be used for the solo. In Germany, we have a valved version called "Fürst Pless" (http://www.melton.de/Jagd/R1174.jpg). It is tightly coiled and wrapped in green leather and has rotary valves. It has no redeeming social or musical value. I think the horn used is insignificant, it just needs to sound like it is coming from FAR AWAY. The further "off stage" you are, the more helpful a trumpet would be. If you can't get far away, the flugelhorn or cornet have less overtones and sound more remote. I would change as little as possible, too much margin for error! An error could completely destroy the mood..........
	__________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

02-14-2008, 02:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Eeviac Piano User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chino valley arizona usa Brand: They are all good! Posts: 477	Re: Posthorn solo from Mahler Symphony No.3 (axe choice) It all sounds so much more romantic than "You've Got Mail!"
	__________________ Conn Pan Am made in 1950 silver + Bach 7C King American Standard cornet made in 1940 + Olds 3C Striving for a Touchy Tone, rather than obnoquious

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
E flat Flugelhorn for Mahler's third posthorn solo	Luis M. Araya	Orchestra / Solo / Chamber Music	15	03-20-2007 02:41 PM
Mahler 3 posthorn solo	trumpetnick	Orchestra / Solo / Chamber Music	22	03-08-2007 11:18 AM
Best Mahler Symphony 1 recording	student trumpet	Trumpet Discussion	30	04-17-2006 10:03 AM
Posthorn Solo	tpter1	Orchestra / Solo / Chamber Music	9	03-10-2005 12:10 AM
Mahler 3 PostHorn Solo	Anonymous	Orchestra / Solo / Chamber Music	0	11-10-2003 05:23 PM

Unleash Your Anger
Copyright 2006 TrumpetMaster.com	All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:29 PM. Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v2.2.0/Links 1.01 Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.9 Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.0.0 RC8