JazzManJim
On the Downbeat
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2001
- Posts
- 27,360
There may not be a group in the world that performs this piece better than they do and it's always a highlight of my July 4th to turn on A&E, crank the volume and let this incredible piece of music wash over me.
The chrale beginning which leads up to the lone oboe solo vying against the cellos with the violins stroking short tension notes building a slow crescendo.
The trombones thunder in, accompanied by the tubas like a thundering batallion of cavalry.
The cellos reclaim the melodic line and bring us to the Marsalleis (damn my spelling). the french horns take this melody and are invited to sing freely by the violins who play a magestic counterpoint over it.
There's a brief respite while a melody gets bandied back and forth among the higher and lower strings. The crescendo builds and builds. The rising tide sweeps in the trombones and the frensho horns. The Marsallwhatever makes a triumphant entrance among the horns and is proudly echoed by the trumpets over string glissandoes. Anothe minor chord restating the initial string melody with horn and wind stinger notes.
Now....the Russian theme - martial and proud - makes it first appearance but is slowly overcome by the impetus of the remainder of the orchestra who have yet a new melody to introduce.
This time the melody is nearly pastoral and serene. The violins sing it over the horns' gentle tight chords. Soon this new melody is changed, tightened, sped up in the winds. A lone flute holds a note suspended on a beat, then dances into what is almost a lilting gigue. this is the winds brief show and they revel in it. Too soon the horns will reclaim the martial spirit.
And here it is. Reclaimed int he French horns. France is represented again, respendent as the theme is developed, mutated.....
And now the cannons.
Bang! BANG! BANG! BANG!
The violins sweep in and play descending runs. The melody slows. The momentum dies like an old car at the crest of a mountain. Not even the assistance of the trombones and tubas can help.
But there's a reason to this. The bells ring out - chimes of old St Petersburg echo over the orchestra's Russian theme. This is pure proud nationalism in every note, glee in a chord change leading to the section we all know is coming. The edge of the seat time.
And now the final melody. Trombones cue the cannons. Over and over the field pieces fire as the crows cheers and cheers.
More orchestra..loud as they can play, but under tight control. This is orchestral power focused as tightly as it can be.
Final notes now. A thumderous drum roll holds the notes playeds over and over again. The end and each single chord is helpd just a moment longer, just to delay the final note.
And when it comes the crowd is already on its feet. The cheers are deafening.
I swear, there's no finer orchestral moment for me than this.
The chrale beginning which leads up to the lone oboe solo vying against the cellos with the violins stroking short tension notes building a slow crescendo.
The trombones thunder in, accompanied by the tubas like a thundering batallion of cavalry.
The cellos reclaim the melodic line and bring us to the Marsalleis (damn my spelling). the french horns take this melody and are invited to sing freely by the violins who play a magestic counterpoint over it.
There's a brief respite while a melody gets bandied back and forth among the higher and lower strings. The crescendo builds and builds. The rising tide sweeps in the trombones and the frensho horns. The Marsallwhatever makes a triumphant entrance among the horns and is proudly echoed by the trumpets over string glissandoes. Anothe minor chord restating the initial string melody with horn and wind stinger notes.
Now....the Russian theme - martial and proud - makes it first appearance but is slowly overcome by the impetus of the remainder of the orchestra who have yet a new melody to introduce.
This time the melody is nearly pastoral and serene. The violins sing it over the horns' gentle tight chords. Soon this new melody is changed, tightened, sped up in the winds. A lone flute holds a note suspended on a beat, then dances into what is almost a lilting gigue. this is the winds brief show and they revel in it. Too soon the horns will reclaim the martial spirit.
And here it is. Reclaimed int he French horns. France is represented again, respendent as the theme is developed, mutated.....
And now the cannons.
Bang! BANG! BANG! BANG!
The violins sweep in and play descending runs. The melody slows. The momentum dies like an old car at the crest of a mountain. Not even the assistance of the trombones and tubas can help.
But there's a reason to this. The bells ring out - chimes of old St Petersburg echo over the orchestra's Russian theme. This is pure proud nationalism in every note, glee in a chord change leading to the section we all know is coming. The edge of the seat time.
And now the final melody. Trombones cue the cannons. Over and over the field pieces fire as the crows cheers and cheers.
More orchestra..loud as they can play, but under tight control. This is orchestral power focused as tightly as it can be.
Final notes now. A thumderous drum roll holds the notes playeds over and over again. The end and each single chord is helpd just a moment longer, just to delay the final note.
And when it comes the crowd is already on its feet. The cheers are deafening.
I swear, there's no finer orchestral moment for me than this.
for Jimmie and his special av
