In a message dated 1/18/03 6:59:48 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: <<Did Beethoven write something that the horn players in Vienna in the early
1800s play, but a skill has been lost, or have orchestras grown in size such that a part that at one time could have been handled by one player now require doubling of parts? >> In the latest issue of "International Musician" Ted Albrecht wrote an interesting article entitled 'Beethoven's 1814 "Green Sheet"' which was about the musicians who performed on a Feb. 27 1814 concert in Vienna. This was the first performance of his Eight Symphony and also included a performace of his Seventh Symphony as well as the "Wellington's victory" piece. Among the players listed on the payroll was hornist Friedrich Hradetsky for whom Beethoven wrote many of his famous low horn passages. The orchestra that day was made up of 36 violins; 14 violas; 12 cellos; 7 double basses; 4 each of the woodwinds and brass plus two contrabassoons; 3 trombones; tympani and al least 4 percussionists. Beethoven apparently liked huge orchestras when he could get them. So much for the modernist approach of "smaller is better" . Ted Albrecht is professor of musicology at Kent State University. When I played in a performance of Beethoven's 7th symphony many years ago that Ted was conducting he doubled the horns. He is a horn friendly conductor. Pete Jilka Kansas City _______________________________________________ Horn mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/listinfo/horn
