4th Section has all the best pieces?

alks

alks

Member
Isnt it true that the 4th section test pieces seam to have all the 'stick in your mind' elements from an audiences point of view? Because they are not over complicated, they seam to be easier to remember and hum afterwards. Put on the regionals 2004 or 2003 cd and and the piece that stciks in mind most is the 4th section partita or northen landscapes.
People moan over the lack of audiences at competitions- but is it because the higher section pieces are too complicated for the general public to enjoy? or am i talking a load of bull?
I did i test on non-banding family members -they all picked out the 4th section piece as there favourite- strange eh?

Alks
 
Pythagoras

Pythagoras

Active Member
alks said:
Isnt it true that the 4th section test pieces seam to have all the 'stick in your mind' elements from an audiences point of view? Because they are not over complicated, they seam to be easier to remember and hum afterwards. Put on the regionals 2004 or 2003 cd and and the piece that stciks in mind most is the 4th section partita or northen landscapes.
People moan over the lack of audiences at competitions- but is it because the higher section pieces are too complicated for the general public to enjoy? or am i talking a load of bull?
I did i test on non-banding family members -they all picked out the 4th section piece as there favourite- strange eh?

Alks
Click to expand...

As someone who was listening to the First Section piece for the first time on Saturday, I found it a bit hard going, but its probably good to play.
 
Aardvark

Aardvark

Member
alks said:
Put on the regionals 2004 or 2003 cd and and the piece that stciks in mind most is the 4th section partita or northen landscapes.

Alks
Click to expand...

Wasn't Northern Landscapes the 3rd section piece last year :?:

Elspeth
 
A

AJSOP

Member
Aardvark said:
Wasn't Northern Landscapes the 3rd section piece last year :?:
Click to expand...
Yes Northern Landscapes was 3rd section area piece last year. It is a great piece to both play and listen to in my opinion.
 
sunny_jimbob

sunny_jimbob

Member
Partita is actually my least favourite of all five test pieces this year. I'm undecided which is my favourite, but Coventry Variations has been growing on me quite a lot recently. Interesting listening to Tristan 15 times in one afternoon in Bradford yesterday as well! But then, that Bass Trom gliss near the start of Vizcaya. Cor!

What can I say, I used to be indecisive, but I'm not sure any more...!
 
lynchie

lynchie

Active Member
I think this year, the best piece for me as a listener has been kaleidoscope... although I have to say that Tristan was seriously mind-numbing to listen to. Nothing against any of the bands, just the piece seemed to go on and on for no good reason!!
 
Straightmute

Straightmute

Active Member
I think that all of this year's pieces are very good, but this has not always been the case. It doesn't seem like so long ago that the fourth section was fobbed off with music of a very low calibre. Does anyone else here remember Four Fors for Band???

I qualified with it in 1991 (!) but would not recognise it if I heard it today...

D
 
ScrapingtheBottom

ScrapingtheBottom

Active Member
I think CV is a great test piece, but as a piece of music I find it pretty impenitrable. Maybe its my lack of refined musical hearing but after the exposition of the conventry carol at the beginning I never heard it again throughout the piece. Great trombone bits though.
 
B

BigD

Member
Here's one to throw into the pot.
How about having the 4th section play a set entertainment programme -say with 4 pieces in it. (All picked by the panel.) This might see an increased entry as some bands would find it less daunting than a heavier test piece. More than one piece should not worry anyone as only a couple of years ago two were used. Might even increase the audience!
Just a thought. :p
 
Lauradoll

Lauradoll

Active Member
No way do the 4th section have the best pieces. Look at the posts for the best test piece poll. Not many 4th section pieces there are there.
 
Keppler

Keppler

Moderator
Staff member
Perhaps that's saying something in and of itself Laura?

Personally speaking - I think that 4th section gets some really good pieces (as well as the odd clunker). Pennine Moors, for example is a firm favourite..
 
alks

alks

Member
Sorry i mean 'lower sections' 3rd and 4th.

And i also mean from a Audiences perspective.
I'm sure that higher section pieces offer a lot to the player -but the amount of complex runs/notes/timeings/ erratic changes etc make it complicated for the audience. Hense lack of interest in listening to them etc......
Alks
 
N

Naomi McFadyen

New Member
When I was playing in 4th section bands I didn't like some of the test pieces that came along... and in light of this, I don't remember what half of them were called...
Definatly 2nd section and above have the best music... Love it! (although, some 3rd section pieces are pretty good too)
This years area pieces are all fantastic though... I quite like Partita!
 
PeterBale

PeterBale

Moderator
Staff member
Lauradoll said:
No way do the 4th section have the best pieces. Look at the posts for the best test piece poll. Not many 4th section pieces there are there.
Click to expand...
It's probably fair to say that unless you play in a lower section band, or unless the piece concened has become so popular that it has become regularly recorded or programmed, the average bandsman is much less likely to know the 3rd and 4th section pieces than they are the top section ones. Maybe if more were suggested we could take the hint and explore them for ourselves :wink:
 
geordiecolin

geordiecolin

Active Member
I think a lot of 3rd/4th Section test pieces are more "listenable" to, I could listen to bands play Partita/Vizcaya all day, but my head was exploding after just one performance of Tristan yesterday (and it was nothing to with the standard of the performance).

Perhaps this is to do with the slightly less complex nature and availability of a strong melody to grasp hold of.

Playing-wise however, especially as a bass player, 4th section pieces especially are generally a bore. There are several 1st/2nd Section testpieces that I've enjoyed playing, and can listen to all day eg. Rhapsody in Brass, Purcell Variations, Kaleidoscope.

The 3rd/4th Section pieces I've played with good bass parts are few and far between, St Austell Suite being the only one that I can recall right now.
 
T

tim

Member
alks said:
Isnt it true that the 4th section test pieces seam to have all the 'stick in your mind' elements from an audiences point of view?alks
Click to expand...

Not all of the best pieces are stick in the mind pieces. sometimes the subtle ones that you don't remeber a not of are the most effective (and most frustrating when you want to recall a melody)

I think most of philip sparke's championship section pieces are very listenable for even non-banders.
 
The Cornet King

The Cornet King

Active Member
alks said:
Isnt it true that the 4th section test pieces seam to have all the 'stick in your mind' elements from an audiences point of view?
Alks
Click to expand...

I think that depends who you are in the audience. After Listening to YBS's Tristan Encounters yesterday that will stick in my mind (and im sure many others) for a very long time! :D

True you can whistle along down the street more to say Northern Landscapes, Partita etc but whatever the piece is, if you become familiar with it, a piece from any section can have the effect of sticking in your mind, especially when played well.
 
Hollso

Hollso

Member
The Cornet King said:
True you can whistle along down the street more to say Northern Landscapes...
Click to expand...

Did you play percussion for that one? I was tryin to remember...
To be honest, i still whistle Vizcaya, but thats a little off topic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top