Let’s debate with Paul Cosh
Paul Cosh was a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, a Professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and has conducted Desford, Parc and Dare, Flowers, Wingates and Kirkintilloch bands. This month he argues that the route to a better band and safeguarding seats from star imported players lies in practice.
When we read of our top bands employing a ‘superstar’ from the continent, there is always a cry of outrage from many in the banding world.
Let's look at what these bands are doing. If they have an empty chair, then it is reasonable to fill it with the best player available and, with it now being cheaper to fly from Berlin to Birmingham than go by train from Penzance to Preston, why not get the player from Berlin if he’s the best available.
There is sometimes another reason and that is that the particular technical demands now required in some of the current extremely difficult test-pieces may not be in the regular player’s toolbox. Although the player in question maybe the most technically gifted and lyrical musician ever, the high G or pedal Z required in the cadenza maybe out of the player’s register.
What to do? Have the discussion with the player concerned about using a substitute, or rewrite for another instrument and suffer the criticisms of the composer, audience and the adjudicators if they notice. This we know almost always only happens in the higher echelons of banding and doesn’t affect the majority of bands that struggle through these difficult pieces once a year. It certainly puts the imagination of the MDs and their arranging skills to the test. All I have to say about the rights and wrongs of these decisions is that…
To read this fascinating article in full, click the ‘read more’ icon below and find out how to subscribe to BBW Digital - just £30 worldwide.
.gif)
