• Podcast of the week

      05/06/2011
      Austin Frakt

    I listen to a lot of podcasts, a few dozen per week. Usually one stands out as the best, though I rarely go to the trouble of highlighting it on this blog. This week I enjoyed most Terry Gross’s interview of James Levine. It was really the first 15 minutes or so that got me. In fact, even the first few minutes are worth hearing, if you’ve only got that much time. If you’ve ever played ensemble music, you’ll understand. If not, you may still get it. Try!

    Listen to how Levine rehearses and how he describes the process and product. There’s an attention to detail, to nuance, that exemplifies professionalism, not in the sense of remunerative work, but in the sense of deep respect for the fundamentals. A true professional goes this deep into his or her work. It’s rare because it is hard and not everyone cares to. That’s not a value judgement. To each his own. It is only to say that there is a big difference between what those at the top of a field do and what the rest in that field do. It’s something to notice and to be inspired by, even if not emulated. (I’ll never be a true, professional musician or physicist, but I sure can enjoy what those that are can do.)

    This is something I’ll come back to in a future post.

     
      Life
      music, podcast, professionalism
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  • Boston regional champs!

      04/04/2011
      Austin Frakt

    In brass duets, Don Nadeau and I are Boston regional champions, so declared on March 19, 2011 in a brass competition sponsored by The Buglers Hall of Fame, St. Kevin’s Emerald Knights Alumni, and Kanstul and Dynasty Musical Instruments. The following video documents our award-winning performance, posted on YouTube by Broadcasting for Drum Corps.

     
      For Fun
      music
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  • Enthusiasm gap

      02/16/2011
      Austin Frakt

    If you’ve ever played in a conducted music group, you’ll recognize how amazing this is. The kid is three years old (h/t ChoralNet).

     
      For Fun
      music
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  • Trumpet Duets

      05/01/2010
      Austin Frakt

    This is mostly a “notebook entry” type post (I don’t want to lose track of the information). But it may benefit or interest others so no harm in sharing.

    One of my other hobbies is playing the trumpet. I used to be very dedicated, and I played with some talented groups in my youth (with one I played at Carnegie Hall, no joke). Then I took a decade off. Now I’m trying for a comeback. Every week or so I play duets with a friend. We were getting bored with the music we own, and I didn’t know what to try next. Fortunately I have a connection to a major city symphony-level professional trumpet player. So I asked him. Here’s some of what he recommended:

    It’s hard to beat the “Selected Duets” compiled and edited by H. Voxman published by Rubank. There are two volumes.

    You can also try H. Pietzsch “24 Light Instructive Duets.” Ernest Williams has duets that are more technically instructive, but less musically satisfying.

    If you are looking for performance quality duets, try the “6 Pieces Breves en Duo 2 Trompettes” by Casterede.

    There are duets by Manfredini, Frescobaldi, Franchescini, Vivaldi, Pezel, Stanley. Or you can look at transcriptions by Handel or other famous composers.

    A good resource for brass music is Robert King Music Sales. You can search and order online. They also have a “Brass Player’s Guide” if you prefer to look at a catalog.

    Suggestions are always welcome.

     
      Life
      music
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