Klarinet Archive - Posting 000057.txt from 2004/11

From: <duffyl@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: [kl] Balance
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 14:12:46 -0500


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Some more thoughts on balance. A really fine trumpet section should be
able to play and blend in any combination...however, in reality the
conductor
is many regards the final control on how well balanced an ensemble is.
Having done a million musicals, there always instances when one has to play
so
softly allow the solo voices on stage to be heard...

Now, the crux of this matter is you have to players of the calibre it takes
to be
able to play the softly with good sound, pitch etc. So, I allow a point
taken on this
one from Tony, but most brass players tend to go a bit crazy in amateur
ensembles
so I still feel traditional balances escpially in Miliatary Bands will
always favor trumpets.

That being said, I remeber hearing the US Marine Core Band of Quantic play
with the
finest blend and balanced sound of any group around. They had 3 trumpets, 6
clarinets, bass clar,
1 oboe, 2 flute, 1 piccollo, and 3 trombones, 2 tubas, 2 horns, Euphonium
and 2 saxes.
Oh, and 1 percussionist and a tympanist.

The ensemble which I delightfully left was amateur with trumpets who could
barely play mf, let alone
p.

David Dow
Symphoniker NB
Modern Chamber Ensemble
NB Camerata Ensemble.

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