Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8935 Location: Orange County, CA
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 2:44 pm Post subject:
I'm a HUGE fan of both of these players. And because I like to remember that this is art and NOT olympic sport I feel no need to rank them. _________________ "I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart
This is like listening to Rafael and Wynton play Flight of the Bumble Bee. Wynton sounds great, but Rafael is incomparable.
Rafael Mendez is the best technical player of the 20th Century; perhaps of all times. I have not heard any trumpeter that could equal him in technical skills (i.e. triple, double, single tonguing, tone and wide vibrato). Absolutely incredible. Listen to La Virgen de la Macarena to appreciate what I'm saying. Indeed, I heard Arturo Sandoval's version when he performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra many years ago and it was anemic by comparison to the rendition by Rafael. Listen, Rafael is the gold standard to emulate. More than thirty (30) years after his death and possibly more than forty years (40) years after he last played a trumpet and the man cannot be equalled. Many trumpeteres sound great, but no one can equal Rafael Mendez.
Sergei is amazing but listen to Rafael and how exciting his version is. Mendez always has this bubbling energy to everything I've ever heard him play. _________________ Getzen 800DLX cornet
Selmer Sigma trumpet
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8935 Location: Orange County, CA
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:03 pm Post subject:
I love Mendez because how boldly he showcased the characteristic trumpet sound. I love Sergie because of how amazingly lyrical he can be on such a broad range of literature. To be fair, in general don't think Sergie is quite as singularly impressive on the tunes made popular by Mendez, and I can't imagine Mendez "owning" some of the material that Sergie has mastered. Different players, different places in time, different artistic vision both succeeding brilliantly. _________________ "I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart
Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Posts: 366 Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 5:55 pm Post subject:
it's fun to be able to compare these giants in same repertoire, yet each are great in what they do best. I wouldn't want to hear Mendez doing Wynton or Sergei just as much as I wouldn't want to hear those 2 doing Mendez
Yes, Dokshizer's rendition is cleaner than both Mendez and Nakariakov and in better taste than Mendez's version. Dokshizer also plays the notes correctly, as they were written, not taking the expedient way of Mendez.
I still like Harry James' version because he uses his high range (like the original Heifitz redition), he uses the correct notes, as does Dokshizer, and though he plays a little slower (about the same tempo as the Heifitz version) and definitely a little sloppier, he finishes off with that nice big-as-as-a house F above high C. I guess that brings out the trumpet ham in me!
Don't get me wrong... I love TH, but there is something that really bothers me about the cats here.
All of you want to give the "most appropriate" and "least offensive" answer. Yes, perhaps it's true that this isn't the olympics, or that they are both artists. But this guy wasn't asking Which one is better?, he was asking Which one do you like better? (although technically he just said "which one?").
If you say "I don't like either one of these performances better than the other. Both are artisitic representations that I appreciate in an exactly equal manner." you're
A. a liar, and
B. a Jive Turkey.
Stop trying to play this game like you so high and mighty, cause you isn't. If there are recordings you like better than the two provided, by all means, provide information relating to them. But first, just answer the dude's question... that would be the question he asked... not the question you created to give yourself the opportunity to act like a condescending stuffed-shirt. _________________ -GET OVER HERE!
-1964 Olds Super Balanced Depleted Uranium single flue Harpoon (w/custom coprion hand guard i got from a 1925 Conn Erradicator.) Akright converted handle w/calfskin grip (143xx)
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