Orchestration and transcriptions

[BBMmk2]

I have transcribed the Symphonie [Funèbre et Triomphale] for concert band.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

the Symphonie Funèbre et Triomphale

I'm as puzzled as Alpie, Bbm - the S F & T is a work for concert band (woodwinds, brass, and perks): what have you "transcribed"?

[BBMmk2]

I'm as puzzled as Alpie, Bbm - the S F & T is a work for concert band (woodwinds, brass, and perks): what have you "transcribed"?

I have transcribed it for modern concert band, Alpie and Ferney. Yes I know about the history of F & TS very well and what the reason for it was too. But the modern concert band is slightly different to that in which Berlioz scored it for. Nevertheless, with this medium in mind(the modern concert band), its very well into the criteria that Berlioz had intended, of which I am very pleased in what I have done and so have other people, who have given me high praise for my work on this.

[Richard Barrett]

I have transcribed it for modern concert band

So what are the differences between a modern concert band and the one Berlioz wrote for? (I've never got to know this piece, should do so I suppose...)

[BBMmk2]

So what are the differences between a modern concert band and the one Berlioz wrote for? (I've never got to know this piece, should do so I suppose...)

Berlioz's:-
4 piccolos
5 flutes
5 oboes
5 clarinets(Eb)
26 clarinets(bb)
2 bass clarinets
8 bassoons & contrabassoon
12 horns(various keys)
8 trumpets
10 trombones and bass trombone
6 opheicliedes
timpani(8 players)
percussion(3 players)
This was for the first performance in the open air. Hence the numbers.

My version for modern concert band

Piccolo
Eb & Alto Flute
Oboes
Cor Anglais
Bassoons & contrabassoon
Eb Clarinets
Bb Clarinets
Bass Clarinet & contrabass clarinet
Saxophones: Altos, Tenors and baritone
Trumpets
Cornets and Flugelhorn
Horns in F
3 Trombones and bass trombone
Euphonium
Tubas
Assorted percussion.

Hope this clarifies the situation but the concert band instrumentation is the one I usually use, with occasional visiting instruments.

[Richard Barrett]

Thanks Bbm.

Piccolo
Eb & Alto Flute

No ordinary flutes?! & how do you manage to hear an alto flute in an ensemble like that?

[BBMmk2]

Thanks Bbm.



No ordinary flutes?! & how do you manage to hear an alto flute in an ensemble like that?

Good question but composers ask for them but, imo, I usually omit(which I should have said).

[Richard Barrett]

The Eb flute must be more or less exclusive to wind bands too, right? I'm very surprised it's not just a C flute that's used.

[BBMmk2]

The Eb flute must be more or less exclusive to wind bands too, right? I'm very surprised it's not just a C flute that's used.

Yes your right. Hardly ever appears in orchestras, only in either military or concert bands, etc.

[Nick Armstrong]

Bbm has suggested a thread to discuss the sort of issues covered above (in relation to the Berlioz work) on a broader footing, i.e. instrumentation used in different kinds of musical groups in a wide range of repertoire.

So here it is, with the relevant Berlioz thread posts copied over to kick off.

[BBMmk2]

Many thanks Cali. I always think of organ works by various different composers as being probably the most difficult instrument to change into another medium, whether it to be orchestra or concert or brass band.

This does bring into question instrumentation as to what would be best. I know there are some people out there who absolutely abhor the thought of a work being transcribed for other instruments, but in some respects, the various lines seem to make it clearer as to what the composer was writing?

[Nick Armstrong]

Many thanks Cali. I always think of organ works by various different composers as being probably the most difficult instrument to change into another medium, whether it to be orchestra or concert or brass band.

On the subject of organ transcriptions, I've enthused before on the Forum about this album, which contains some exemplary orchestrations by some not inconsiderable masters, brilliantly played and recorded:





However I'm too much of a rank amateur to comment on the orchestration/instrumentation, except that Elgar's use of the bass drum in the opening of BWV537 is tremendous!

[BBMmk2]

Very true, I have that CD too, but I do not like Schoenberg's use of the bass drum in his transcription of Bach's prelude & Fugue in Eb, "ST ann", in the prelude. Not what I would have done. I would have put either the tuba and or double basses, for instance.

[Richard Barrett]

Was it here on another thread that Marius Constant's orchestration of Gaspard de la nuit was mentioned? Or did I dream it?

Anyway here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3fUghOheNk

Brilliant piece of work I think. It's a shame Ravel didn't write more orchestral music (or orchestrate this) but this one will certainly do.

[BBMmk2]

Was it here on another thread that Marius Constant's orchestration of Gaspard de la nuit was mentioned? Or did I dream it?

Anyway here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3fUghOheNk

Brilliant piece of work I think. It's a shame Ravel didn't write more orchestral music (or orchestrate this) but this one will certainly do.

Amazing that Ravel didn't orchestrate this?!?!? It just so says orchestrate!