Quiet City

trumpeternick · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 6:07 pm Post subject:

This has probably been discussed before. How difficult is this piece to play, and in what aspects? Also, how would it fly on a solo contest? I have yet to meet a high schooler who has worked on it(as far as I know) and I was wondering if it's because it's hard. I've heard a few recordins(Phil Smith's being the best) and it's just a terrific piece.

boarder509 · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 6:48 pm Post subject:

I just played it on my recital this past Saturday. Its a great piece. I played it with a string quartet, and the english horn part played on a flugelhorn. Quite cool. Anyhow, for a contest piece I'm not sure how it'd be, as the trumpet part standing alone doesn't do nearly as much musically as with all the parts. I'd choose something different for a contest that shows off the same ability, if you ever do a recital though give it a look.
Kyle

StewMuse · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 8:46 pm Post subject:

No, not for solo and ensemble. Too long, for one. Secondly, it's a drag even with a REALLY good piano (okay with organ, though), let alone some clunker in a classroom. You can substitute clarinet for the English horn fairly effectively, too.
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JackD · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 7:57 am Post subject:

Techinically, this piece is pretty easy. You've got to play it well to make it work though, and it is fairly long, so your endurance needs to be reasonably good.

I also wouldn't play it in a competitive solo recital: its just too easy. However, play it musically and in my book it's worth infinitely more than some brash unmusical technical exercise.