BaL 16.05.15 - Mozart: Horn Concertos

[richardfinegold]

HS. A few days ago I mentioned that in the final issue of CRQ, Alan Civil was quoted taking a potshot at your teacher, Aubrey Brain, something to the effect that he didn't know how to teach technique. I might mention that in the article Civil was an outlier, in that other former students were quoted as having a vastly different opinions compared to those of Civil.
Can you share some of your experiences as a student?

[Hornspieler]

Wow! What fabulous stories. I would love to read a book about Beecham. He surely was one THE leading lights and characters in the history of music and performance in Britain during the 20th century..... any recommendations gratefully accepted

I think he did huge amounts of work to increase the profile of Sibelius?

Yes indeed. I have a 2CD recording taken from a BBC transmission in which Beecham is conducting the RPO in works by Sibelius :
Pelléas et Mélisande,
Tapiola,
Symphony Nº 7 in C,
Symphony Nº 4 in A minor.

He then goes on to talk about Sibelius and his influences on 20th century music.

Fascinating. See if you can find it in the BBC archives.

Now - back to topic! A pity that CfP's record with James Brown - (not that one!) was never put on CD.... especially as it is well recorded. My well-worn vinyl still sounds excellent.

I was actually playing in the orchestra for those recording sessions. (Arthur Davison and the Virtuosi of England)

I remember that James stood behind the orchestra, on the stage in the Conway Hall. An idea of the producer, John Boyden - one of HMV's best. A superb balance betwen performer and accompaniment.

HS

[Hornspieler]

-

HS. A few days ago I mentioned that in the final issue of CRQ, Alan Civil was quoted taking a potshot at your teacher, Aubrey Brain, something to the effect that he didn't know how to teach technique. I might mention that in the article Civil was an outlier, in that other former students were quoted as having a vastly different opinions compared to those of Civil.
Can you share some of your experiences as a student?

That's a very good question. Let me refer you to that excellent publication "Dennis Brain. A Life in Music" by Stephen Gamble and William Lynch. ISBN 978-1-57441-307-6
Aubrey Brain is naturally featured in many places regarding his pupils and his teaching methods:

Aubrey didn't teach his pupils to play the horn. If they couldn't already do that, he would not have taken them on as a pupil.

What Aubrey did was to teach his pupils how to play the horn.

If one took in a concerto for instance, the first thing that he would do was to take a pencil and phrase the work; indicating where to take breaths, where to keep the line smooth and so on.

Yes, he would take you through the Gumbert studies, which increase in difficulty with every page, but even there he would be listening to how one phrased it.
He used to say "You can practise technique all day long, but that will not neccesarily make you a musical performer. But if you know in your mind and heart how you want it to sound and endeavour to put that into your performance, the technique required to do so will inevitably follow."

Here's another:
"You are the only person in the world who hears every note that you play, so you must be your own sternest critic."

What a teacher - and, in his day, what a fantastic performer!

HS

[edashtav]

Good to see such a positive and perceptive assessment of Daddy Brain's qualities as a horn coach,hs.

[gradus]

Ref 104 above, Beecham's autobiography, A Mingled Chime is very readable, hugely informative and as might be expected very amusing.

[edashtav]

Ref 104 above, Beecham's autobiography, A Mingled Chime is very readable, hugely informative and as might be expected very amusing.

Indeed!

[Hornspieler]

Good to see such a positive and perceptive assessment of Daddy Brain's qualities as a horn coach,hs.

Glad to see you back on the message boards, Ed.

Where on earth have you been?

Remember, Daddy Brain was the younger son of Arthur Brain; 4th horn in that famous LSO horn section at the turn of the century; led by Adolf Borsdoff and known to history as "God's Own Quartet".

Stay with us,

HS

[visualnickmos]

Ref 104 above, Beecham's autobiography, A Mingled Chime is very readable, hugely informative and as might be expected very amusing.

Thanks for the pointer. I'm going to investigate.....

[MrGongGong]

Ref 104 above, Beecham's autobiography, A Mingled Chime is very readable, hugely informative and as might be expected very amusing.

I've never read it but I think I trod in it once




Not

[Roehre]

Glad to see you back on the message boards, Ed.

Where on earth have you been?

.....
Stay with us,

HS

wholeheartedly seconded

[edashtav]

Absent in 'ED & body, I'm afraid. So, good to see that you are back in body and soul, hs , and no longer the "man in grey" behind the scenes.

[Barbirollians]

As much as it will perhaps annoy Mr GG - I think I know why I so much still prefer the Brain to any other recording . It moves me and makes me happy . The Eastop I admire a great deal but it isn't anywhere near as joy inducing.

[MrGongGong]

As much as it will perhaps annoy Mr GG - I think I know why I so much still prefer the Brain to any other recording . It moves me and makes me happy . The Eastop I admire a great deal but it isn't anywhere near as joy inducing.

I'm working as an external examiner next week for a music degree
and that would get you a fail

Not because I prefer something else but because "it moves me and makes me happy" is a bit superficial and unsupported
so we won't be seeing you at the graduation this year Barbiegirl

[Tony Halstead]

I'm working as an external examiner next week for a music degree
and that would get you a fail

Not because I prefer something else but because "it moves me and makes me happy" is a bit superficial and unsupported
so we won't be seeing you at the graduation this year Barbiegirl

Why does it all have to be so black and white?
Why do we have to be forced to choose ONLY ONE 'winner'?

I have suggested the following several times, in fact so many times that I'm now a bit fed up with it:
1) A 'modern/ valve horn' recording that " moves us and makes us happy"
2) A 'period-instrument' / valveless horn recording that "moves us and make us happy" !!!!

Suggestions as follows:
1) Brain
2) Eastop

Q.E.D.

[MrGongGong]

Why does it all have to be so black and white?
Why do we have to be forced to choose ONLY ONE 'winner'?

I have suggested the following several times, in fact so many times that I'm now a bit fed up with it:
1) A 'modern/ valve horn' recording that " moves us and makes us happy"
2) A 'period-instrument' / valveless horn recording that "moves us and make us happy" !!!!

Suggestions as follows:
1) Brain
2) Eastop

Q.E.D.

I never said anything "against" the Brain recording
It's a wonderful performance though I do find the production a bit dated BUT that's NOT a criticism of the playing
It seems that Barbie has got it into his head that I don't like it

The quartet should be (of course)

Eastop
Rattigan
Shilkloper
& Lindberg