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Contrabass-list Wed, 7 Jan 1998 Volume 1 : Number 85
In this issue:
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 20:26:48 -0500
From:
daryl.fletcher@juno.com (Daryl Fletcher)
Subject: Re: ORSI
Cimbasso
Grant said:
>My recollection is that the cimbasso I played was "bell up". The pictures
>will tell for sure (I'm a bit jet-lagged right now...). It had four piston
>valves (which were not in good condition, as it was a model horn), and the
>finish is what you'd expect from putting a horn up on the shelf for, oh,
>maybe 100 years without polishing. But it did sound nice! I believe it is
>pitched in F, but this is one of the things we had difficulty translating.
That's interesting. Other than the shape, how did it compare with your contrabass trumpet?
>The upright was the "opera" model, handy for use in close orchestra pits.
>They also make a "trombone-style" model, which is more used in bands and
>for marching. Same key, also four valves.
I didn't think about that, but I guess having an upright horn would work better in a tight orchestra pit.
> Mr. Perin pulled out what appeared to be a
>tuba mouthpiece for me to play it: I didn't think to see what kind it was.
>Too busy trying to play without laughing at my wife's expression (watching
>me play instrument after weird instrument - probably a mounting horror that
>I would soon want to buy several or more, which is of course well
>founded).
You must have a very patient wife, Grant.
>BTW, I forgot to mention: I asked about the contrabass oboe (there's a
> picture somewhere on contrabass.com). Mr. Perin said that they no longer
>had even the model for that instrument. However, they would *design*
>another one if commissioned.
It would be great to hear one of these.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
daryl.fletcher@juno.com
http://www.walker.public.lib.ga.us/~daryl/
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 21:08:58, -0500
From:
KUUP84A@prodigy.com (MR MARK A TRINKO)
Subject:
Contra-fest second day!
Again I return home at days end fully charged with the days activities. It amazes me how when you put contra-bassoonist from 4 continents who don't even all speak English, how they all immediately bond and learn from each others experiences and cultures.
Today there were lectures, discussions, public performances (Las Vegas's first French contra-bassoonist performing amongst the slot machines), and tons of sharing.
I tried to apologize to the group about a logistical abnormaility and to my amazement, they all did not even know anything was wronig. All of the contra-players just climbed back into each others heads and appeared to be sponges gathering information from each other.
We have some of the worlds most renowned contra-bassoonists participating. We have some students participating. We see differences in contra styles and cultural expectations. I am sure that new ideas will be taken back to each players countries to be implemented.
Tons of contra music floating around today. I listened in the class offered by Chip Owen today and made a decision that all future contra-fests will only be for contra-bassoons. There is so much that can be learned and shared for just that one instrument, that to include other contra-instruments would not enhance the festival. Sorry guys, you others may come to future festivals and present, but there will be no lectures or masterclasses for other instruments.
It also occurs to us today that some third world countries would like to send their contra-bassoonists, but can not afford it. My Lions Club will explore this situation and hopefully identify some funding to handle it in the future. Any ideas from other double-reeders?
There is lots of discussion on increasing the number of attendees at this festival. It was agreed upon by all that if this week were superimposed at the IDRS conferance somehow, it would increase the attendance at both. Many of the festival attendees had to choose this year between which to attend. I will communicate with the IDRS leadership and the convention hosts for Tempe and those after about this possibility.
It was also decided to not conduct a competition ever again. More emphasis on education and performing is where the contrwa-bassoonists want to stay.
Tomorrow we look forward to a very in depth reed making session (2.5 hours). More recitals, masterclass, public performances, fun food together, and sextet practice. Everyone decided that a doubled trio should also be performed in the final concert on Thursday.
If anyone reading this is within a one hour flight of Las Vegas, it would definitely be worth your effort to come to the Grand Finale Concert at the MGM Grand Casino from 3-5 pm on Thursday!
Lastly, I need to know now if you want the videos. There will be 2 videos (lectures and performances). The lecture video is getting almost all of it in English and French. There is some Spanish too. Fortunately, Richard Murray has agreed to write another IDRS Journal article about the festival upon completion like last year.
Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 21:31:26 -0500
From: Jim
Lande <lande@erols.com>
Subject: Re: contrabass-list
V1 #84
> I don't remember if I posted this earlier or not (jet lag!), but
> Charles Fail Music (http://www.charlesfail.com) is now listing:
> -a metal Leblanc Bb contra (loop style, but only to low Eb) for $1700,
> and a Bundy Eb contralto for $950.
For any who are interested, I ordered the contrabass a few months ago. It will be shipped to me when it has been overhauled. They think it is fairly old, which accounts for the low price. He is continuing to list it because I might decide that I don't like it and return it. I am hoping it will be love at first toot.
Jim Lande
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 21:23:45 EST
From:
BariSaxJzz <BariSaxJzz@aol.com>
Subject: Re:
contrabass-list V1 #84
Hey grant!!!
I was thinking (which I probably shouldn't do too much of, I'll give someone a headache), and I thought, "ok, you have a whole bunch of back issues, are you going to put up the recent ones?" Well, Are you going to?
Thanks,
Nick
Date: Wed, 07 Jan 1998 01:46:49 -0500
From:
Farfl's house <lederman@inforamp.net>
Subject: Re:
contrabass-list V1 #84
Contrabass-L wrote:
> There is a lot more music this year compared to last year. Everyone
> brought contra duets, trios, quartets, octets, etc. Tomorrow I will
> copy all of it so everyone takes home a set. Also, Rolando Siguenza
> from El Salvador brought music and cassettes for quintets and more. I
> will pass out cassettes to all attendees tomorrow.
Hi, Mark!
Can you copy an extra copy of any sheet music you're copying for me?
Thanks!
Steven
Are there performers selling cassettes and CDs of their contra material there?
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 18:31:20 -0800
From:
"Jason Hsien"
<jasonavhs@email.msn.com>
Subject: The Mysterious
Octo-Contrabass Saxophone
To start off, I am new to this list and I'd like to say Hi. I play the Bass Clarinet (Which is, unfortunately, my only real "Contrabass-list-worthy instrument). I also play Tenor Sax, Bb Soprano Clarinet and did have a brief stint with, yes, a Flute (not an OctoBass Flute, regular, old, high pitched, hurts your ears sitting next to them for a long while, Soprano Flute)
I was wodnering if anyone on this list knows if there are any pictures or has actually seen this mysteriously here but not really here instrument. No, not the legendary Selmer Mark VI... I'm talking about the Octo-Contrabass Sax.
I keep hearing about it and have seen the "fake" one around the Internet. (You know the one. With the one guy on top of his roof holding the neck and another guy blowing into the horn from the ground.
If anyone has pictures, I'd be interested to know about it.
Also, I've heard that a company is starting to re-offer the Contrabass Sax. Any details?
Now, if only Selmer, Buffet Crampon, or LeBlanc would get their act together and start offering Octocontraalto and Octocontrabass Clarinets, the world would be perfect... (not almost perfect... perfect)
Thanks
Jason Hsien
jasonavhs@msn.com,
babingatron@yahoo.com
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End of contrabass-list V1 #85