Posted by Chuck Jackson on January 22, 2003 at 21:24:00:
In Reply to: Re: 1st 6 measures of Barber's Second Essay posted by Tracy B. on January 22, 2003 at 21:04:54:
The opening bars consist of a held Gb with a solo Flute and bass drum. Then you immediately change to an F which you need to hold for(I think) 4 bars, one of which is a 6/4 bar and resolve to an E.This played with the bass clarinet and bass drum. It is incredibly slow and conductors seem to milk it a little too much. These are cash register notes, right at the bottom of the staff. The rest of the piece is pretty loud and in the cash register. There is a great moment where the tuba and bass trombone crescendo a long held E and state the theme in augmentation at FFF. Quite hair raising. Some nice loud low stuff, too. I am not a great fan of Barber, but this piece and "Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengence" are really great works to play. Hope this helped. The best recording I have is an old NYPO/Shippers one. Novotny plays the hell out of both the aforementioned pieces.
Chuck