Bartok: Bluebeards Castle

Socrates · Veteran Member Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 150

An orchestra I am in will be playing Bluebeards Castle coming up in November. I am aware the score calls for 4 trumpets in the orchestra as well as 4 trumpet offstage. I am wondering if this piece can be done with less than 8 trumpet players? Is it possible for the onstage players to cover the offstage parts?

The personnel manager is wanting to know what can be done, how many subs to hire, and I am not familiar with the piece or the parts(which aren't in yet).

Appreciate any help!

trpt2 · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:46 pm Post subject:

I was lucky enough to play this piece about 30 years ago, with the Boston Symphony. (the Only time it has ever come up in my career....)
Really neat piece!
If my memory serves me correctly, I don't believe it can be covered by the section players. I think you will need 8... (Could be wrong- it was a long time ago!)
Probably not much help...

Bob

Trptca · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 2:19 pm Post subject:

Played it a few months ago. We used 4, with no off stage parts, worked fine. There might be different versions out there.

tptmed · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 1:01 pm Post subject:

For what it's worth...

Don't "undersell" your colleagues. If the composer wants 8, use 8.

It is a very dramatic part in the piece (learn the story), when the doors open up. To have the extra players going full tilt there is pretty awesome. At least that what everyone that has heard it live has told me.

I too have played it with the BSO. Onstage and offstage. Go for the offstage

sandytpt · Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:04 am Post subject:

Is it a staged production of the opera or a concert version?