Exciting News and Upcoming Events
Nov 30, 2008 in Uncategorized
Hello, all,
Well, the fall semester has nearly come and gone, and it has seen its share of developments. If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of performances on the calendar, please do not despair: I have intentionally kept this semester low-key, with no recitals or major solo appearances. I promise that next semester will thoroughly compensate for this lack….more about that later. :)
Perhaps the most exciting news is that I am at last the proud owner of a four-valved Courtois flügelhorn, which I hope to establish as one of my primary solo instruments. (Keep an eye on the Calendar page for information about when you can hear it in concert; exact recital dates will begin to appear on the calendar after January 1.) Practicing this instrument has proven to be both thrilling and frustrating. Its fourth valve extends its range to pedal D-flat, and its conical bore makes it easy to play from pedal C downward. On the one hand, these capabilities provide me with a fabulous array of possibilities. For the first time, I can consider playing cello music, which means that composers like Rachmaninov and Mendelssohn are suddenly fair game. On the other hand, the logistics of mastering the fourth valve, jumping from treble to tenor to bass clef and transposing accordingly, and learning to hear and play the correct intonation in a register that I have never used turn out to be somewhat daunting. However, I consider that my flügelhorn is well worth the effort, because its sound is huge and dark and beautiful, and it has quickly become my favorite instrument to practice.
In light of this, it is ironic that most of my practice these days involves a limited amount of flügel. I have recently begun to prepare a huge list of repertoire for a series of upcoming competitions and recitals, all of which will act as preparation for an international competition next fall. (Please check the website frequently over the next few months, as I WILL be updating the Calendar page with upcoming recitals, and the home page will have more of the travel-log feel of my former blog.) I am hoping to give recitals in as many cities as possible, pending finances and logistics, so I hope to be seeing many of you in person in the coming months. Those who live in Dallas can expect a recital very soon, since I’m trying to pull one together for January.
At this point it’s late and I need to think about sleeping. Thanks for reading, have a great day!
All the best,
-Brittany :)