#lowbrasskicksbutt

This week, I decided to take yet a different approach. I listened to a few different examples, but I decided to hone in on just one of the examples. I listened to performances of the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the Leipzig Gewundhous Orchestra, and the Hodgepodge New York Orchestra. I of course focused on the Hodgepodge New York because a) the name makes me giggle, and b) this orchestra uniquely celebrates the creation of the New York Philharmonic.

After listening to a number of recordings, when I landed on the Hodgepodge recording, I was taken back by the jovial nature of the performance. Gunther Shuller conducted this performance in 1995, and he took a brisk tempo for this final movement. The trombones rejoiced along with the horns and trumpets on top of a bed of strings. The Hodgepodge’s performance of this excerpt evoked emotions of joy, curiosity, and lightheartedness. In this particular performance, I found it difficult to distinguish the trombone parts from the horn parts. It’s not that the sound was muddied; rather the rich and full timbres of the two instrument groups blended so splendidly that they created a timbre all its own (which, I do propose was the composer’s intention or at least desire). 

As cheerful of a name as Hodgepodge, so joyous was their performance of the last movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. It was a delight to listen to this recording and as always I encourage you to make your own comparisons and check out www.tromboneexcerpts.org. 

Musically yours,