Significa #10

ANSWERS

American and European based questions.

1. "The Mark of a Professional" -The derivation of this term goes back to the late, great John Barrows. As a lecturer, John liked to keep referring to this "term" again and again. Everyone used to sit and listen to him respectfully which made him work his expression up to fever pitch. Finally, someone would meekly ask "Mr. Barrows, exactly what do you mean by 'the mark of a professional?" Since he gave this presentation all over the country for many years, this expression must still be alive in all of us that knew him, heard him speak or took lessons from someone who was highly influenced by John. During a visit with me, years ago, when I lived in West Los Angeles, John told me how much fun it is baiting his audience with this lesson and that he did it to leave a lasting impression which could instantly make one a better, more highly sought after, hornist (Yes, in my opinion, it really can!). My question to you is, specifically, what was John referring to when he used the expression "the mark of a professional?"

   A pencil! Actually I took John to a discount stationary warehouse in Culver City California where we found metal spring "clips" which could clip onto horn tubing and hold a pencil. It was pretty nifty. He also was known to buy "golf" pencils by the box and pass them out, to make his point. My metal clip broke (metal fatigue) years ago so I have invented keeping a pencil in your horn case or pocket. Now in twenty-five years you will be writing about me!

2. Where is, or what part of a horn, is the name "first branch" referring to?

   In the words of Joe Anderer: "The part of the horn between the cylindrical tubing and the bell."

3. What do these three hornists (amongst many others) have in common, musically speaking, besides their horn playing? Wilhelm Lansky-Otto, Anthony Halstead, David Duke (Well known TV-Motion Picture, Hollywood, hornist).

   All are/were accomplished pianists and are/were somewhat exploited by their hornist friends to participate in recitals and concerts as accompanists.

4. In a 1984 film documentary (The South Bank Show) on Barry Tuckwell, frequently seen over educational television, BT lectures on the evolution of the horn, plays excerpts from many solo pieces, is insulted by Mozart whilst he plays, and is accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra or piano accompanist during various examples. Not counting the hornists in the ECO, a close inspection of the program and the credits show that the production was actually a collaboration of THREE noted horn virtuosi. One was, of course, BT who did all the horn playing in the examples. Who were the other two and what did they do? (These are living, famous hornists who each contributed essential material to this production). One is plainly visible and participating on screen during portions of the film, the other concentrated his efforts and resources behind the scenes. By way of example, I will eliminate two possibilities. The TV host was not a hornist and the conductor was not a hornist.

   Answer: Anthony Halstead did multiple piano accompaniments to BT's horn playing.
   (Prof.) Hans Pizka was listed as providing "Specialist Material" which I take to mean that the many evolutionary horn examples (period instruments) were provided by him. If this is a false conclusion, I am sure he will announce his proper role on the list. He is not shy.

Non-horn Offering

1. What is the name of the conductor who Barry Tuckwell frequently credits as "mesmerizing" him into giving the performance of his life. The performance/recording was done in 1966 and the conductor was then 84 years old. Extra Credit-What did he play?

   Leopold Stokowski-Rick Wagner-In the venacular, the "long call."

2. What is the name of the composer (not obscure, his work(s) are regular repertoire for many orchestras, although he was not prolific) who was also known for his music arranging for Paul Whiteman and orchestrations for George Gershwin? His best known compositions had a distinctive "west American" flavor to them.

   Answer: Ferde Grofe (of Grand Canyon Suite fame)

3. This question is far more difficult to ask than to answer, in my opinion. In Europe an back-chair string player with the Philharmonia Orchestra was later launched to world prominence for conducting what was equivalent in the USA as a "junior or prep college (Named after their rehersal hall, a church)" orchestra, later to become a well regarded (and well recorded) chamber orchestra (thoroughly infiltrated with professionals). He has been Knighted for this seemingly impossible accomplishment. Who is this conductor and what is the name of the chamber orchestra.

   Sir Neville Marriner-Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

4. This question is added with the hope that our colleague, David Goldklang, will add it to his list of exceptional horn parts that he has prepared on the NET. Those of us who have performed it will know what I mean. What symphony would I be referring to if I were to mention a symphony almost never performed because, in my opinion, of being cursed with substandard second and third movements, however the first and fourth movements are superior and many players have prayed to Maria Theresa herself to give them the opportunity to play these outstanding horn parts. What symphony is it?

   Haydn Symphony #48-Maria Theresa. This has parts that are as good, or better than #31, Horn Signal, in MY opinion.

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