Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject: Maynard Ferguson - Titans Symphony
I listened to a short clip on some website and he just obliterates the New York Philharmonic (appropriately). Does anyone know how they got to choose Maynard Ferguson as the guest artist? If there was an audition, I wouldn't have wanted to be the judge, having to listen to the renditions so many times
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject: Titan Symphony
The Titan Symphony was composed by Bill Russo, and premiered in New York with Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in 1958, featuring Maynard Ferguson, the third movement was composed entirely of a high note trumpet feature. The performance was so remarkable that when the press asked the principle 1st trumpet player, William Vacchiano, his opinion of Maynard Ferguson: he said “if he ever lost his lip he can always play 1st trumpet for the New York Philharmonic.” The remarkable piece was performed only one other time, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with Bud Brisbois as the soloist, whose performance was excellent. The recording with Maynard Ferguson has fire and excitement and remains the pinnacle performance.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject: CD of Titan Symphony
It's on a CD available from the New York Philharmonic (www.nyphil.org). My disc is a "highlight" of the ten disc series. This disc has the fourth movement (the one with Maynard) from the Titan Symphony, as well with a teacher's companion with lessons on each piece on the CD.
Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject: Really?
Although I enjoyed Maynard’s version, I've always thought he had trouble hitting the right notes accurately. Not that it would be easy, or even natural as the intervals are rather unusual and very high. I heard that he played it better on another of the 4 or so performances he did that week (his words I believe).
The Brisbois performance on the other hand is so bad it is unlistenable, in my humble opinion.
Joined: 14 Aug 2002 Posts: 795 Location: Rich Wetzel
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:59 pm Post subject:
Those intervals in any octave are challenging, but where Maynard did it, and with the HUGE and FAT sound, TAHHHHH on Double D's as if they were in the staff, up and down and over and over again and again, that is the single greatest feat of brass playing and superhuman abilities any of us will ever hear, ever... If you do not have it, go find it, it is the single greatest impossible feat of live playing I have ever heard.
Maynard was selected because he was such a phenom taking the world by storm. Russo had written lots of thing for the Kenton band too and this piece was made for Maynard.
Other than Brisbois, I don't know that anyone else has ever attempted it. _________________ Rich Wetzel
Bach Artist and Clinician
Rich Wetzel's Groovin Higher Orchestra
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Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Posts: 903 Location: Lake Norman
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:19 am Post subject:
This thread prompted me to buy the CD, and I just received it.
I love the story Maynard wrote in the accompanying text:
It seems the NY Phil ‘appointed’ William Vacchiano to be MF’s ‘host’, and -- knowing the piece and that it would require a good warm-up --, WV took MF down into a basement room in the concert hall where he warmed up and they got acquainted. When rehearsal time came, and MF played the first few notes of the piece, Bernstein stopped him and said “Perhaps you didn’t notice that is supposed to be mezzo-forte?” Before MF could respond, WV quipped “Maestro, that IS Mr Ferguson’s mezzo-forte.”
I love that story!! Made be laugh out loud _________________ do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God
Although I enjoyed Maynard�s version, I've always thought he had trouble hitting the right notes accurately. Not that it would be easy, or even natural as the intervals are rather unusual and very high. I heard that he played it better on another of the 4 or so performances he did that week (his words I believe).
The Brisbois performance on the other hand is so bad it is unlistenable, in my humble opinion.
Actually the Brisbois performance is better than Maynard's from many standpoints. I have detailed why in a post on another thread.
Yes, I've seen this. His rendition is his own - different than either Ferguson or Brisbois.
I don't agree with every detail of his conception, but he at least has a conception, and kudos to him for having the gumption to put it out there.
Well I don't like the piece so I wouldn't be one to discuss the "nuanced" difference in arrangements, and performances. Just a matter of taste. _________________ Maestro Arturo Sandoval on Barkley Microphones!
https://youtu.be/iLVMRvw5RRk
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