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I just received my CD copy of last month's holiday concert where we played, "Russian Christmas Music" (Alfred Reed). This is one of my favorite band pieces, not because the euph part is so great (it's not), but because it's such a beautiful piece. We have a couple of oboe players in the band, neither of whom own an English Horn. Our director found a talented eighth grade girl who was very willing help us out. She attends Bak Middle School of the Arts and rehearsed with us for a month before the concert. All of us were really impressed with her intonation, phrasing and maturity of sound. After the piece our Dir had her come forward so he could introduce her to the audience. After the applause, our Dir told her to tell the audience what grade she was in. When she did, there were some gasps and more applause. I think this young lady is going places musically.
Here's a link to listen to the mp3 recording if interested:
RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS MUSIC (Alfred Reed) - Symphonic Band of PB
We're still using a recorder with built-in mics, so not the greatest, but since the English horn sits near the front, it was picked up pretty well. The rest of the band did pretty well too but with a few intonation issues here and there. If you don't want to listen to the whole piece, fast forward to 4 minutes and 7:45 minutes into the piece to hear the English horn solos. The clarinet choir portion starting at rehearsal 200 (10:15 into the recording) is also very good.
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Russian Christmas Music history: In 1944, in an attempt to improve Soviet-American relations, a holiday symphonic concert was held in Denver, Colorado. The intention was to premiere new works by Soviet and American composers. Sixteen days before the concert, it was discovered that the Soviet music selected to be performed - Prolkofiev's March, Op. 99 - had already premiered in the United States. With only sixteen days, 23-year-old American Alfred Reed was assigned to write a new piece of "Russian music" to be performed at the concert. Thirteen days later, on December 12, 1944, on nationally broadcast NBC radio, "Russian Christmas Music" by Alfred Reed made its debut. Two days later, it was performed in concert in Denver.
Here's a link to listen to the mp3 recording if interested:
RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS MUSIC (Alfred Reed) - Symphonic Band of PB
We're still using a recorder with built-in mics, so not the greatest, but since the English horn sits near the front, it was picked up pretty well. The rest of the band did pretty well too but with a few intonation issues here and there. If you don't want to listen to the whole piece, fast forward to 4 minutes and 7:45 minutes into the piece to hear the English horn solos. The clarinet choir portion starting at rehearsal 200 (10:15 into the recording) is also very good.
________________________
Russian Christmas Music history: In 1944, in an attempt to improve Soviet-American relations, a holiday symphonic concert was held in Denver, Colorado. The intention was to premiere new works by Soviet and American composers. Sixteen days before the concert, it was discovered that the Soviet music selected to be performed - Prolkofiev's March, Op. 99 - had already premiered in the United States. With only sixteen days, 23-year-old American Alfred Reed was assigned to write a new piece of "Russian music" to be performed at the concert. Thirteen days later, on December 12, 1944, on nationally broadcast NBC radio, "Russian Christmas Music" by Alfred Reed made its debut. Two days later, it was performed in concert in Denver.
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