ubassman Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 (edited) Unusual thing to post on here but I thought I would just share a musical gem amongst fellow musicians ! So, ...the orchestra has been looking for a new percussionist for a couple of months . We have been going through the final movement (iv) of Shostakovich's 7 Symphony which is known as the Leningrad Symphony . It was written literally whilst Hitler's army were being overthrown and the city retaken by the Russians. New drummer joined and the whole piece suddenly turned into something completely different with a brilliant musical idea . Listen to the last 3 minutes. Without sounding to pompous, the theme is very simple at 1:15:30 which then gets quite jazzed up with some beautiful chord structures sliding underneath building up to a great crescendo and the sense of lifting / liberation of the city ... we kind of all got that and fell in love with the music in previous rehearsals ...but then during the first rehearsal with the new drummer the conductor refers for the first time to 'implied gun fire, bombing and collapsing buildings' that apparently Shostakovich could hear as he was writing the music! - you can hear that with the timpanis ...but then for me the electric bit is 1:17:00 onwards, beautiful climactic melody but with the piercing snare drum ringing out as if they are 'house clearing' pistol fire ...in a small orchestra pit make you feel like you should be ducking for cover !. It is well worth listening on headphones to get the full effect but an absolute spine tingler of a piece to play knowing the backstory and the music captures this amazing sense of danger at the same time as joy. Genius! Anyways , hope others enjoy this as much as I do (what a difference one musician / part makes to the whole vibe and message of the piece)! [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxpYqpSV-vU[/media] Edited June 14, 2013 by ubassman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 Hi ... I sent you a PM about the Ultra Black Strings a few days ago. Did you get it ?? ... do you still want to give them a go ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah thomas Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Thanks for posting - I really enjoyed reading 'The Conductor' and it was great to flesh out the book by listening to the Symphony. (Or the last ten minutes of it, anyway ...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted June 14, 2013 Author Share Posted June 14, 2013 ...I think I need to get a copy of Sarah Quigleys book ( ...know of a cheap second hand one for sale ?! ) ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatgoogle Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 BBC 4 right now, bit on Shostakovitch.. Brilliant piece of music. Id love to play it one day. Ive done his 5th in a orchestra that was a bit to small but very fun and demanding all the same. One piece i'd love to perfrom one day is Britten's young persons guide to the orchestra. Fell in love with the piece when i first heard about 15 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandShef Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 [quote name='fatgoogle' timestamp='1371236895' post='2111691'] One piece i'd love to perfrom one day is Britten's young persons guide to the orchestra. Fell in love with the piece when i first heard about 15 years ago. [/quote] We've just done a family concert which included Young Persons Guide. Slightly nerve-racking double bass solo moment!! The kids love it tho ..... you can hear them choosing their favourite instrument. The tuba seemed to get the most votes .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatgoogle Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 [quote name='MandShef' timestamp='1371292894' post='2112199'] We've just done a family concert which included Young Persons Guide. Slightly nerve-racking double bass solo moment!! The kids love it tho ..... you can hear them choosing their favourite instrument. The tuba seemed to get the most votes .... [/quote] Do you still have the solo section at all? Its not in the public domain yet and i cant find it anywhere to buy. When i was about 5 my granny took me to see it in London with i think the phil orchestra and the commentary. Blew my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandShef Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) [quote name='fatgoogle' timestamp='1371293292' post='2112207'] Do you still have the solo section at all? Its not in the public domain yet and i cant find it anywhere to buy. [/quote] Yes, it's in Keith Hartley's 'Double Bass Solo 2' - no.29. It's a really useful book, 'cos it contains excerpts from lots of orchestral repertoire - a chance to preview any tricky bass bits before orchestra rehearsals! Edited June 15, 2013 by MandShef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah thomas Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 [quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1371195139' post='2110977'] ...I think I need to get a copy of Sarah Quigleys book ( ...know of a cheap second hand one for sale ?! ) ! [/quote] Mine's on Kindle, otherwise you could have it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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