The Most Magnificent Sound

For our semi-monthly performance classes this past year, before jumping into everyone’s performances we spent the first 10-15 minutes of class getting acquainted with the instruments of the orchestra.

From the evocative and magical Syrinx by Debussy,

to the virtuosic Flight of the Bumblebee played on everything from flute to violin to (against all odds) trombone,

the trumpet as a lyrical and expressive voice in Cafe 1930,

and the alternately brilliantly and surprisingly sweet sounds of the French Horn in Wagner’s Siegfried, we got to hear an impressive range of colorful sounds and music

The sound of the orchestra is one of the most magnificent musical sounds that has ever existed.

Chick Corea

Individually, each of these instruments has a unique and flexible voice. Taken together, with the full forces of the post-Romantic era orchestra, the sound is truly magnificent.

Check out how Dvorak unleashed that power in the stormy, violent fourth movement of his Symphony No. 9 … and the next time you get the chance to hear this music live, don’t miss it!

CHT163210 Neptune’s Horses, illustration for ‘The Greek Mythological Legend’, published in London, 1910 (colour litho) (see also 169595) by Crane, Walter (1845-1915); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; (add.info.: Les Chevaux de Neptune, illustration pour ‘La Legende mythologique grecque’;); Archives Charmet; English, out of copyright

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