Posted by Richard on January 09, 2000 at 13:48:16:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: John Williams Concerto posted by Chuck Jackson on January 08, 2000 at 20:08:09:
This whole discussion takes me back to one of the great "emperor's new clothes" events of recent concert life, the Karel Husa Trumpet Concerto, commissioned by the Chicago Symphony for Bud Herseth just over ten years ago. The piece was scored for woodwinds, brass, and percussion with emphasis on mallots. The overall style was based on highly complex figures and rhythmic patterns. Husa made the expected salutory comments regarding Herseth's legendary professional stature, but at no point in his concerto did he attempt to exploit the trumpet's capacity for melodic playing, which would have allowed Bud to "shine" in his own capacity to "float" a tune past the footlights. Herseth can be a dazzling technician as well, but the solo part seemed to bear little relation to brass or trumpet technique. It could have been a marimba part. And it would have worked better. Hailed for its performer by an adoring press and public, no one called the piece for what it was - the work of a theory bound, detail minded control freak.
Granted we need a tuba concerto that stands up to the masterpiece standard, and granted, J Williams with his lack of originality and his padding falls short of that standard, but at least h's a professional who knows how the hell to write, so let's be thankful for small favors.