Regionals 2010 : Fourth Section Test Piece - Saint-Saëns Variations

[Di]

Discussion thread for the Regionals 2010
Fourth Section Test Piece

Saint-Saëns Variations (Philip Sparke)
Published by Anglo Music Press.

[sopranoplayer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWxkv...layer_embedded

[Tubamutha]

Love the Organ concerto, love the mice arrangement, think I will love the test piece - a big thanks to everyone who made this possible!

[euphalogy]

Another excellent piece of music from the pen of Mr Sparke, wonderful choice!!

[Frontman]

I am very pleased with this choice of piece for the 4th section. At least band will have something strong enough to get there teeth into as well as difficult enough to make it a very interesting competition.

Congratulations to the Music Panel for an excellent choice.

[Columbo]

I like this one too. Good luck Dave . The band is settled now and more than capable of making this special and should enjoy rehearsing it also.

[skweeky]

I know most people will recognise the organ symphony but it has been bugging me all week about what film I remember it featuring in. It's BABE!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyqjN8Au8QI

Sorry about the rush of excitement but that's all I can think of when listening to the piece now!

[stickwaggler Al]

Received my copy of the score at the weekend. Looks good. Looking forward to it!

[MartinBen]

Played it through tonight and I can see some 4th Section Bands really struggling with this piece just like The Talisman from this year.

Makes me wonder how many bands will actually bother to go to the areas - they may well take one look at the piece and decide it is beyond them - why flog it to death if they know the band won't be able to play it well?

My prediction for the Midlands Area is for an all-time low for the number of bands entering the 4th Section but we shall see.

[MrBb]

Played this for the 1st time last night and......


What a pile of rubbish! repetitive boring drivel with absolutely nothing in it for 8 PAGES! It's another example of picking a piece by a "known" composer that's resting on their laurels from the couple of piece that they have done that were genius.

Save the tree's... Stop Philip Sparke writing anything ever again!

Even Taliban was better than this.

[batonwaggler]

I take it MrBb that you are a master composer and have written pieces that can be remembered. When you say itsa pile of rubbish You mean you cant play it right yet. Shame your not in our area, at least you would make it easier for us. Maybe you should consult with composers and ask why they wrote the rubbish then you may enjoy it more.
What have you played of his music.

[MrBb]

When you say its a pile of rubbish You mean you cant play it right yet.

PMSL ROFLMAO i like how you think that "not liking" equates to not being able to play it, is that how you judge a piece of music?

I personal go for how it sounds, does it have those WOW moments in it that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Could i sit down and listen to it 10/ 15 / 20 times at the area an listen to it and enjoy everyone's own interpretation of it, and most of all, what's in it for me as a musician.

Go and listen to Purcell Variations by Kenneth Downie, thats a tests piece, fantastic melody, great solo in it, that massive bit where its like a bag of flower hitting the floor in slow motion. simply brilliant!

[Getzonica]

Even Taliban was better than this.

Don't you mean the Taslisman?

[Alyn James]

OH MY GAWD!!!
This thread is gloriously nuts! I love it!!!
Keep it up - Mr Sparke must be LHSHAO!!.

[MrsDoyle]

I looked at it last night - and first impressions:

Lovely piece - the Organ Symphony was beautiful in the first place, but dare I say it the variations add something. And - wait for it - a test piece with a tune!

Difficulty - it strikes me as being quite easy, apart from the Molto Vivo section at crotchet = 240, which is terrifying.

Overall, the nicest test piece I've ever played.

Don't you mean the Taslisman?

I think it was a joke