humnab

Wanton? Actually, in Reingold Wagner calls for six harps, I believe -- most often in unison. Which, as Berlioz would tell you, is so you can hear them. For instance, in Berlioz's 'Roméo et Juliette', there are two harps in the Ball scene, but he recommends doubly or tripling each part so they can be heard properly over the rather loud orchestra.

It's nothing particularly original. It's been going on for years -- scores that are more visual art than scores. Which leads to the question, since it can be so differently interpreted -- who's the composer? The person who did the diagram or the one who actually invents something based on the diagram?

Sure, but you only ever need two, at tonic and dominant. I bet you even always write them on C and G, even if that means the higher note is written lower than its pitch. Though maybe computers cured you of that one bad habit...

In Toronto, one store started playing classical music to drive the rowdy teenagers away. They were replaced by a whole bunch of other teenagers who loved the stuff. Including, I admit, a member of the original board. And have you been to an opera lately? How many people in full dress did you see, as opposed to how many people with mohawks?

Hmmm... I still remember how shocked the tenors were when I made them sing below the basses in one piece... Yet the same melody, which can be played both by trumpet and trombone, will sound different on either -- in the one case an instrument playing low, in the other an instrument playing high... Doesn't the interraction of overtones make it into a different chord? (You know I love arugment for its own sake...)

Ah, EL&P. I still can't decide whether I like their 'Pictures at an exhibition' or not, classic of my childhood though it be.

Hmm. Thinking of time and writing music... Primo, does one have to compute into it the weeks when you don't work on something? For instance, I've at least one piece that requires several more movements, but I haven't worked on one in two years. Does that means I've spent two years composing it (and more) even though I haven't touched it since? Also, do what extent do you lose track of time while composing?

And then there's Messiaen... Query: Does a melody going C, A, B, B, A, G, E mean 'cabbage'?

I can tell you one thing music means: a high E played on a violin means that a bow has been drawn across a certain violin string that was being pressed at a certain point. Now that IS a definite meaning that can be proven.

There was once an Eastern potentate who on a visit to London was taken to a symphonic concert. His favourite piece, which apparently had the most meaning for him, was the tuning-up at the start. Make of it what you will.

I must confess -- I really like the fact that a Californian is busy telling a Brit where to advertise in his own country. Classy. I knew you were an Anglophile, Graham, but I never quite realised the extent... Now if we can just turn that into Canadiana before you move here...

As you might well expect, my comment on this would probably be to call you a rude name and tell you I hate you. But this is a moderated board, and thus my colourfulness must be moderated... But then, if you can, as Graham points out, keep the piece in a single register, who am I to want to change my stops? Excellent.

Well, perhaps. But I feel it necessary for me to warn the British contingent that I shall almost definitely be in those isles come next summer -- though based in Edinburgh. Then again, nothing's that far away in Britain. What a pity I won't be there at the same time as the Viscount, that could be most interesting...

In more serious news, having looked at the score -- this may be an odd compliment, but it looks right. That's the person who reads orchestration books for fun in me for you...

Mille grâces, Vicomte... But gaspation! Do you truly expect me to approve of such a narrow, misogynistic aria? I am shocked, shocked and appalled that you could think such things of me. Wretched woman-hater! It's just as well you're gay, you'd be a terrible mate to a woman, evidently!