bill benzon

Google has announced an online collaborative classical music project based on a four-minute composition by Tan Dun. According to The New York Times, the project has two parts:
Here's the YouTube site for the project. And here's a trumpet master class featuring Maurice Murphy and Nigel Gomm:

Bagnewauckland

Ah yes, I've had a look at all three trumpet parts, but seeing as my camera's rubbish, and I think that there are so many better trumpet players than me out there, I'm going to pass on this one.

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ecarroll

Bill,

Sorry not to have responded when this was first posted. It must have been buried under other topics and never caught my eye. Mea culpa.

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with the "gimmic" angle (submitting renditions of individual parts, etc.) of this project, but somebody is obviously thinking outside the box on this one and I applaud them for that. Additionally, the classes with Maurice Murphy, etc., have obvious merit.

The arts are in a deepening financial crisis, if we choose to acknowledge this or not, and new ideas will emerge.

TMers . . . your thoughts?

Best,
EC

wilcox96

Holidays and all...I have only done a little checking in to this site. To chime in a bit on this topic...I first saw this concept a good while ago. Honestly, I thought it was a terrific idea. Fresh...new...uses today's technology...reaches "today's'" audience (internet...global)... fantastic. Terrific for those who came up with it and are putting it on.

To me...it's exactly the kind of thing that keeps decent music (and musicians) alive. This creates a buzz that will go well beyond the immediate event, in my opinion. It's because of things like this that will allow all of us to potentially get work...have opportunities to play...etc.

I hope there are many more opportunities like this. Exploring new territories...new opportunities...reaching new audiences... terrific. Even though the concert for this will be at Carnegie.... the "internet" is the real (and new??) stage. Interesting. I wish it the absolute BEST of success.

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oldlou

I very much enjoyed the master class segment with Maurice Murphy and his associate, Mr. Gomm. It reminded me of a week long, all day series of lessons I took while in college with Bill Pierce, who I have always considered to be, not only a consumate musician, but, also the best trombonist that I have ever heard. Bill taught me to not only make my trumpet "sing", but, to phrase everything that I played so that when playing gospel hymns,( Bills forte and mine ), the audience should hear the words of the hymn in their minds. Bill stated emphatically that the spots on the paper might result in semi pretty noises, but, they are only the vehicle for the hymn writers message.


I have used his advice in all genre of music. I did a solo on Londonderry Aire in a concert with one of the community concert bands recently,which, according to my wife in the audience claimed had several of the people in that audience singing along quietly with the words of Danny Boy. I considered that to be their compliment to my playing.


OLDLOU>>

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tunefultrumpet

I had a look at this and had a look at videos of trumpet players that I could find that had submitted their efforts on youtube (only found two). I was dismayed to see a comment beneath one video of a young woman's performance along the lines of "she's too f**kin fat to do a good job" .... the fact that uncensored comments like this can appear on youtube really turns me off the whole thing. It's really brave for anyone to record themselves and post it on the web and to be open to pathetic remarks like that really sucks.

Hags888

This is a GREAT idea, but talk about horrible timing. Announcing on Dec. 1st with a late January deadline? That puts most of the Western world out of the running with the holiday season. And it also prevents many colleges from designing anything in their studios for this, since most are dealing with finals and winter breaks during this time. I would have loved to have my studio prepare the exercepts and learn how to put together a high quality video of their performances. At this point, by the time students return next week there will be very little time to prepare, so I (and my students) will be passing on what could have been a wonderful experience.

ecarroll

Hags,

I see your point but doubt that those responsible for this project were factoring in the needs of students in any particular part of the world. The parts are short and pretty straight ahead, don't you think? Look 'em over, practice them for a short time, record, put the recording in a bottle, and toss it in the nearest ocean (if necessary, UPS probably provides this service)

Best,
EC

bill benzon

Yeah, it's not as though this was "The Swinging Pendulum of Death Drenched in the Tears of the Afflicted" by Trehnchkote-Huberr.

ecarroll

Got it in one, Bill