Contrabass Digest

To subscribe or unsubscribe, email gdgreen@contrabass.com

 
 

2001-01-05

 
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 16:43:25 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] PHC
 

Andrew said:
>Schickele walked away with the prize, both in my opinion and in that of the
>live audience. Despite being given a terribly unwieldy and unbalanced
>quartet to work with, he made a convincing and attractive piece of music
>with them.
>
>If anybody goes to hear it at the web site, please remind me (and us) what
>the other two instruments in his quartet were. Also which Xmas carol he
>set.

PS wrote "Two and A Half Variations on 'In Dulci Jubilo'" (attributed
to PDQ Bach), for koto, crumhorn, serpent, and musical saw.  I agree:
his arrangement worked better than the setting of Coventry Carol for
treble viol, theorbo, cornetto, and sackbut.

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass       http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 20:50:33 -0800
From: "Timothy J. Tikker"
Subject: Re: [CB] Octobass clarinet and Spanish shawms

Re: Octobass clarinet and what it actually sounds like.

I read an article years ago by someone who actually played the thing.  He called it "a magnificent
instrument."  I'll see if I have the article on file...  I also found a piece in an old magainze, I
think "The Woodwind and the Brasswind," with a photo of a Monsieur Leblanc playing the Eb Octobass,
announcing that he was touring the US with it -- in the 1960s, I think.  So the instruments were
definitely playable and fully functional, and apparently quite good to boot.

Re: Spanish shawms

OK, Grant, that wasn't a cobla you saw, then.  I've seen Catalonian human pyramid building accompanied
by just some small shawms, and there are also some treble shawms in other parts of Spain, so perhaps
that's what you saw.  Interesting that you also saw so many bass fluegels!

- Tim Tikker

---------------------------------------------------------

From: MusicDayDream
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 20:56:46 EST
Subject: [CB] BBb Contra Bass Clarinet
 

Hello :c)
Im not a very active member on this list, but i was hoping i could get some
input from a few.  I bought a Leblanc Paperclip BBb Contra Bass Clarinet off
ebay about 1 year ago.  I am now going off to college in a few months, and
was considering putting up the contrabass for bids on ebay to have money
towards a new instrument.  The contrabass plays very well, it has a really
nice sound, and has an extended range to a low D.  The instrument works
wonderfully, and the pads are in great shape, the outside of it is begining
to show its age a little bit.  I bought this off of ebay for $4200, and then
had it fixed up.  How much do you think i could get for this if i were to put
it up for bids on ebay????  Thanks for your time!
Sincerely,
Dana
 

---------------------------------------------------------

From: Heliconman
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 20:59:31 EST
Subject: Re: [CB] funding Elephant tubas

In a message dated 1/4/01 6:25:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, mgrogg writes:

<< Maybe the list would like to commission a new mouthpiece in trade for
 playing rights on the Harvard tuba?
  >>

I've actually been considering that myself for a while!
---------------------------------------------------------

From: "Stew Taylor"
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 22:36:52 -0500
Subject: Re: [CB] Shriners

Hello Grant;

These Shriner's bands are called " Oriental Bands " and there instruments
are Mussets.  These mussets are tuned in several keys.

The Shrine Oriental Band in London Ontario has them tuned in "Ab"

I am the Director of the Shrine Trumpet band in London and we play 3 valve
bugles ( trumpets or long model cornets ) tuned in "G"

These mussets do not tune with themselves so I have given up thoughts of a
joint effort.

Thanks

Stew Taylor
RR #4 St.Marys
Ontario, Canada
N4X 1C7

---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 21:20:55 -0800
From: Dave Richoux
Subject: Re: [CB] funding Elephant tubas (and other oddities)

Hi all,

One thing I have learned in my quest to see strange and wonderful musical
instruments:

Some music museums will actually let you play some of the collection!  I am not
exactly sure how one qualifies, but the Fiske Museum
<http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/fiske/welcome.htm>  will let some musicians play
some of what they have, and maybe others will as well.

It does not hurt to ask...

Dave Richoux

---------------------------------------------------------

From: Francis Firth
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 08:57:14 -0000
Subject: [CB] Shawms, Great Bass Crumhorn, etc.

Dear all,
while on the subject if shawms and coblas I can give details of recordings
of these (and bands with other loud double reed instruments) if anyone
wishes.
I also have a recording of music for tenora (the larger Catalan shawm) and
piano which I recently acquired from Spain and I can post details of that if
anyone is interested.
I have also read that  Lenny Henry's recording of Peter and the Wolf
features the tiple (treble Catalan shawm) instead of the oboe and the
serpent instead of the bassoon (somewhat oddly oboe d'amore replaces
clarinet but I can't remember what replaces the flute).
Finally, I have recently acquired another CD which includes a duo (a suite
no less) for Great Bass Crumhorn and electric piano, while there is also a
duo for baroque bass rackett and great bass crumhorn and 1 track for
heckelphone and electric piano (playing the theme from Love Story). I'll
post details when I remember to bring the CD to work.
Happy new Millennium.
Francis Firth
---------------------------------------------------------

From: "Guy GRANT"
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 20:07:55 +1100
Subject: RE: [CB] Sardana Coblas

Gday Tim

Are these shawms called xistus? If so I have a CD of them exchanged with a
Basque for a copy of Didjeridu Planet DP01.

Dr Guy GRANT
Way Down Under in Tasmania

---------------------------------------------------------

From: "Jean Adler"
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 08:04:35 -0600
Subject: Re: [CB] BBb Contra Bass Clarinet
 
 

Dana,
Why do you feel you need to buy a different instrument if you like this one?  I don't think you said how much money you spent having this one fixed up.  I assume this was a used instrument when you bought it.  Personally, I would keep this instrument.  If you are concerned the instrument is looking worn I wouldn't worry about it.  Think of it as well-loved.
Good luck in school.
Jean

---------------------------------------------------------

From: Heliconman
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 09:29:15 EST
Subject: [CB] Helicon For Sale

Check out this one! No picture but it's a King 4 valve Eb helicon! One would
assume the fourth valve transposes to Bb so you could remove the valve spring
and just live in Bb if that was your preference, but Eb is an easier key for
converted trumpet players. And ummmm...it's a KING!!! Love my King horns! If
I had the cash......
The ebay ad is at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1402471188
Not many helicons this desirable, although I don't know what kind of shape
it's in.
Good Luck!
Heliconman
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 10:09:10 -0500 (EST)
From: Carole Nowicke
Subject: Re: [CB] PHC

On Thu, 4 Jan 2001, Grant Green wrote:

> to PDQ Bach), for koto, crumhorn, serpent, and musical saw.  I agree:
> his arrangement worked better than the setting of Coventry Carol for
> treble viol, theorbo, cornetto, and sackbut.

What amazed me was how everyone was stumbling over the pronunciation of
"Theorbo."  I mean, really, hasn't everyone seen or heard one of 'em?
When they use them in the pit orchestra for the opera here at IU, the dang
thing sticks up out of the pitt like it was Joe Tarto with his stretched
model tuba--or a jumbo raincatcher. The best theorboist were used to have
around these here parts is a former tuba student of Ed Goldstein, August
Denhard.

Carole
<http://php.ucs.indiana.edu/~cnowicke>
 

---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 10:12:40 -0500 (EST)
From: Carole Nowicke
Subject: Re: [CB] Forwarded by request (late though it is...)

On Thu, 4 Jan 2001, Tom Izzo wrote:

> > >Music Professor Harvey Phillips -- known as the "Paganini of the
> > >Tuba" -- it's a salute to famed musician Arthur Bell, who was born on

"Arthur?"  I can't figure out where Arthur came from.  Bill Bell, of
course.  But who is an "Arthur" besides Arthur Lehman or Arthur Pryor?

Carole
<http://php.ucs.indiana.edu/~cnowicke>

---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 12:07:37 -0500
From: Andrew Stiller
Subject: Re: [CB] PHC

>
>What amazed me was how everyone was stumbling over the pronunciation of
>"Theorbo."

Actually, it was only Schickele who was doing that, and I think he was
doing so deliberately, for humorous effect.
 
 

Andrew Stiller
Kallisti Music Press

http://www.kallistimusic.com

Ut Sol inter planetas, Ita MUSICA inter Artes liberales in medio radiat.
--Heinrich Schuetz, 1640
 

---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 09:32:26 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] Helicon For Sale PLUS!
 

>Check out this one! No picture but it's a King 4 valve Eb helicon! One would
>assume the fourth valve transposes to Bb so you could remove the valve spring
>and just live in Bb if that was your preference, but Eb is an easier key for
>converted trumpet players. And ummmm...it's a KING!!! Love my King horns! If
>I had the cash......

And let's not forget the Italian ORSI contrabass sax, which is back
on the ebay listings now.  See
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1402217335,
current bid $8077.77...

Enjoy!

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass       http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 14:42:16 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: [CB] Great Wall Update
 

Here's the latest info regarding the 1,000 Saxophones on the Great
Wall of China gig:
 

From: stevens@nuclearwhales.com
Subject: Great Wall Update!

Your fearless but prudent leader has some very interesting
developments to report.  First of all, I have concluded that there
will be no Great Wall Concert this May because it has proven to be
too difficult to work with the Chinese sponsor and there is no longer
enough time to get everything properly organized.  But please do not
be discouraged!  The exciting news is... We have a new and very
capable sponsor and a REAL DATE for the show on October 6th!

As you know from the last couple of Great Wall Updates, I have had my
doubts for some time about this May and so began conducting
negotiations with other potential Chinese sponsors.  The new Chinese
sponsor is the performing arts subsidiary of a large conglomerate
which includes audio, video, film, television, advertising, etc., and
also owns and operates the finest theatre in Beijing.  They have very
large resources and influence and have been very professional and
impressive to work with.   In the coming weeks, all of the
appropriate information will be gathered and made available to you
and posted on the website.

Again, I apologize for the sputtering start for this project, but I
am wiser now and very confident about the October 6th date for the
show and our new sponsor.  So mark your calenders for an October 1st
departure to China and the October 6th show of 1000 Saxophones on the
GreatWall.

I will be busy trying to work out the costs and details for  travel,
accommodations, food, rehearsals, etc. and hope to have that
information available for you sometime in February.

I remain, yours truly, Pod Leader

***End of Contrabass Digest***


 
Next Digest ->
Previous Digest <-
Index
Top