What Instrument (in you opinion) sounds great.

[giovannimusica]

Hi Izabella,

Here's a great recording of Rachmaninoff Songs:

http://www.atollcd.com/catalog_detail/acd106_Dodoka.htm

If you are a mezzo-soprano you could always transpose the songs to a lower key, however no lower than an augmented third from the original key. Hope this helps.

Here's the complete songs of Rachmaninoff at an unbelievably low price:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486401952/002-5332617-5443216?v=glance&n=283155

This edition is a copy of the original Boosey & Hawkes edition. I use the Boosey edition.

Giovanni :tiphat:

 

[Cecelia Jubal]

The pipe organ is the clear winner, IMHO.

I agree with giovannimusica...the pipe organ is the instrument, IMHO, that has been most consistently beautiful of them all throughout the ages.

(BTW, giovannimusica: Love your avatar! )

I also agree that certain forms and styles of music do not tend to "lie" well on the pipe organ. Indeed, some pieces sound as if they should be circus background music if the organist is so inclined--or is required by a seemingly tone-deaf, pop-music-oriented "boss"--to play them on the instrument.

 

[giovannimusica]

Hello Ms. Cecelia Jubal,

I'm glad you like my avatar. Some have said this organ console is like an old Bentley But since it commands the resources of what is considered by many to be world's finest organ(St. Sulpice) - definitely not the biggest - I wish to pay hommage to the builder(Cavaille-Coll) in this small way. The sound color and ouput of this instrument dazzles the mind. It doesn't have the sound pressure level of the Concorde taking off, as does the organ in Notre-Dame, but it more than makes up in the sensuous colors, sensitive and intimate nuances that it is eminently capable of.

Cheers,

Giovanni :tiphat:

 

[Gareth]

Well, I spose you might be a little bias as you play the organ? But then again, I may be wrong, that is your opinion, the violin has been about the same throughout the ages same design I think...

 

[giovannimusica]

Hi Gareth,

I also play the Double-Bass and a few other solo instruments. The Double-Bass has also been around for quite awhile and has had, generally speaking, the same design. Maybe a reference to the instrument being a polyphonic or solo line instrument could help shape the discussion. Each instrument has its intrinsic value in the Orchestra. How about looking upon the Orchestra as a *color machine*?

The violin has a proper place in the Orchestra as does the Double-Bass and a host of other instruments. Each one contributes its color to the palette, with which is used to make the tone-painting. Now, an instrument is nothing without the intervention of the instrumentalist, who plays the instrument, shaping the musical line and giving color and rhythmic nuance to the piece being performed.

Finally, we all bring just a smidgeon of bias in favor of the instrument we play. I am led to belive that if we let ourselves gain mastery of more than just one instrument, we will be richer for the experience and better musicians.

Cheers,

Giovanni :tiphat: :tiphat: :tiphat: :tiphat:

 

[Gareth]

Yeah Giovanni I will agree with what you said, learning say a woodwind, a keyboard a brass, percussion, a string instrument (or you could even be a conductor, but lets not get that deep!!!) will give you the technique and knowledge about each group of the orchestra.

Just adding on to your colour, each section of an orchestra is like a colour, when the colours blend they make a picture? Is that adding on to what you said, or going off track?

Cheers
Gareth.

 

[Naomi McFadyen]

For me, personally, the best instrument would have to be anything you HIT... not being biased though, of course

Else, it has to be the organ....
Researching and hearing the period woodwind and brass instruments develop throughout the years is pretty awesome too....


Ok.... so I think practically everything is pretty great (not strings though... well, ok, when played WELL... lol)..... but yea, I like things especially that you HIT....

 

[giovannimusica]

Hi Gareth,

Not so much blending but shadings - like a good painter, a musician worth his/her salt as a soloist or member of a chamber or symphonic ensemble should be able to moderate how much *color*, shade, nuance, rhythmic accent and the like they input into the performance.

Cheers, Mate.


Giovanni :tiphat:

 

[ViolinCyndee]

Hey everyone!

In your opinion, what instrument sounds the best through all the music periods, I particulary like the violin as I think it has sounded great through all music periods (that is Baroque, Classicism, Romanticism .etc).

So what is yours???

Cheers
Gareth.

I agree 100%!!!!!! :grin:
Cyndee

 

[rojo]

Hmmm...I get the feeling you could possibly be somewhat biased, 'Violin'Cyndee...:grin:

That`s ok, you`re allowed! :grin:

 

[Thomas Dressler]

Hey Naomi, you never know--a frustrated violinist might HIT his instrument! LOL

:smash:

Tom

 

[ViolinCyndee]

Hmmm...I get the feeling you could possibly be somewhat biased, 'Violin'Cyndee...:grin:

That`s ok, you`re allowed! :grin:

Moi??????

Cyndee :grin:

 

[Naomi McFadyen]

Hey Naomi, you never know--a frustrated violinist might HIT his instrument! LOL

:smash:

Tom

oh yes absolutly.... and we all know what these metal guitarists are like... they smash their instruments up regardless :lol:

 

[Krummhorn]

A group of players on Recorders (not tape ) is very soothing to the soul, especially if it is an ensemble of Soprano, Alto and Tenor Recorders ...

Aside from that, my most favorite sound on the organ is the Krummhorn stop - hence my forum name - If voiced properly it can be thrilling!

 

[giovannimusica]

I have recently become acquainted with the sound of a Heckelphone:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckelphone

Its a really nifty sound - I can't describe the sound too well
but I really like it

Apropos organ stops: I love the upper octaves on the Cor Anglais 8' - They are really poignant especially if you have a *slow* tremulant on the organ.
Another favorite is the Horn Diapason and Horn at 8' combined - its is just soooooooo smoooooooooth and rich, like a Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae drowned in caramel - MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

 

[Krummhorn]

Hmmm, that Heckelphone looks like an Oboe with a hernia

I'm intrigued to hear what this sounds like.

As for the Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae drowned in Caramel, I can only wonder ... I could never eat such a delight being diabetic so I will have to settle for the delectable sound instead.

Thanks Giovanni for sharing

 

[giovannimusica]

Hi Lars,

Open this link and scroll to the bottom and click on the cover of the last cd where you see a guy playing the hecklephone:

Lisa Bergman recordings

Cheers,

Giovanni


ps. I'm sorry to hear that you are afflicted with diabetes. A close relative of mine takes two shots a day of Insulin. He's not happy with it but he knows he must take the shots if he is to live.

pps. The soloist has a somewhat *nervous* vibrato - just a bit *grating* but tolerable...

 

[Krummhorn]

Heckelphone

Hi Giovanni ...

Thanks for the follow up on the Heckelphone ... a very interesting sound! I agree on the guys "vibs" ... just a bit too much for me, too.
At first, it sounded like an English Horn, but slightly different, so I looked it up in the Encylopedia or Organ Stops and found this in case you were interested: Encyclopedia of Organ Stops

Lars

ps: Thanks for the health concerns ... I'm Type II, which means no Insulin injections. Type II is treated with medication, diet and exersize.

 

[giovannimusica]

Hi Lars,

Thanx for the link. Many years ago I spent an hour exploring the resources of the Woolsey Hall instrument and I do very much like it. The Heckelphone at Woolsey Hall has a somewhat weird *blat* to it - guess I would need to spend more time with that stop to *wrap my brain around it* as it were.

Cheers,

Giovanni :tiphat:

 

[Krummhorn]

Here's another interesting <tongue in cheek> site:
Dictionary of Unknown Organ Stops
It is from the Dictionary of Unknown Organ Stops - It's all in fun ...