Český Krumlov Castle Theatre Orchestra Pit

krumlov1.jpgThe composition and seating of an orchestra in the 17th and 18th century is essentially different from what we are accustomed to today. Most notably, the orchestra was not conducted in the modern sense of the word. The conductor sat at the harpsichord and together with the first violinist directed the whole orchestra with his playing. This method of direction understandably influenced the seating arrangement of the musicians.

The harpsichord was included twice in most orchestras, and both instruments were placed facing each other on both ends of the orchestra pit. The other instruments formed two rows between the harpsichords; the first row consisting of the 1st violin, violas and oboe sat facing the stage, and the second row consisting of the 2nd violin, violas and oboe sat facing the audience. The bass instruments, forming together with the harpsichord the rhythmical element of the Baroque orchestra (basso continuo), were separated and placed with both harpsichords.

Original music stand in the orchestra pit in the Český Krumlov Castle Theatre

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The orchestra pit of the Krumlov theatre is interesting in that the unique double-sided music stand has been preserved here, its form and size corresponding to the above-mentioned orchestra. So far it has also been possible to use original Baroque lighting methods in the orchestra pit; these methods are used most often during Trial performances in the Castle Theater.

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Some Orchestra Score Musical Terms

Some of the musical terms used in the original orchestra score for Brigadoon.

  • Mosso – Rapid. Meno mosso, less rapid. Piu mosso, more rapid.
  • Morendo – gradually dying away
  • Colla Voce – Follow the voice. A directive to the musican (normally accompanist) to perform the indicated passage in a free manner following the tempo and style of the solo performer.
  • L’istesso tempo – The same tempo. An indication in a composition that directs that the beat remains constant when the meter changes. In the case of 2/4 to 6/8, the meter is still counted with two beats per measure but the tempo or speed of the beat stays the same. All that has changed is the subdivision of the beat from the duplets of the 2/4 to the triplets of the 6/8.
  • Tenuto (ten.) – Tenuto can mean either hold the note in question its full length (or longer, with slight rubato) or else play the note slightly louder. In other words, the tenuto mark is sometimes interpreted as an articulation mark and sometimes interpreted as a dynamic mark. When it appears in conjunction with an accent mark, it is of course taken as an indication of articulation, and, conversely, when it appears in conjunction with a staccato mark, it is taken as an indication of a slight dynamic accent. When it appears by itself, its meaning must be determined by its musical context. In rudimental (drumline) drumming, the tenuto marking is traditionally interpreted by giving the marked note a slight accent or emphasis.
  • Lento – slow
  • Piu – More. Used with other terms, e.g. piu mosso, more motion.
  • Ancora – repeat
  • Ancora piu lento – Repeat more slow
  • Giocoso – playful
  • Strepitoso – boisterous
  • Mesto – sadly
  • Orchestra Conductors – Study Video Clips

    A list of contrasting conducting styles from YouTube.com – Compare the conductors pre-1950 with modern conductors. I’ve also included some college and student conductors so you can compare styles against veteran approaches.

    Compare the left hand (non-baton) hand of each orchestra conductor and compare vocabularies.

  • Derek Gleeson – Dvorak New World Symphony
  • Dorian Wilson – Strauss
  • Hector Aguero – Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture
  • Colin Davis with Menuhin – Beethoven Violin Concerto
  • Seiji Ozawa – 1821 Overture
  • Claudio Abbato – Mahler 5th Symphony
  • Charles Latshaw – Beethoven Symphony #7
  • Herbert von Karajan – Dvorak New World Symphony
  • Charles Latshaw – Beethoven Egmont Overture
  • Leopold Stokowski – Bach Prelude D minor (for orchestra)
  • Alexander Kalajdzic – Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp
  • Battle Royale – Orchestra soundtrack session
  • Seiji Ozawa – Nutcracker Suite Chinese Dance
  • George Solti – Wagner Tristan und Isolde
  • Seiji Ozawa – Borodin Polovetzian Dances
  • Arturo Toscanini – Verdi Hymn of the Nations
  • Leonard Bernstein – Mozart Requiem (Dies Irae)
  • Leonard Bernstein – Stravinsky Rite of Spring (Rehearsal)
  • James Levine – Wagner Die Walkure (Ride of the Valkyries)
  • I searched for videos of orchestral music conductors online and thought this would be a nice collection for aspiring conductors to watch and study. These free video clips can be viewed by clicking on the links. All part of the journey of creating better communication skills for your orchestra musicians.

    Buddy Rich Drum Battle and Bus Tape

    Two things I had always heard about was the Buddy Rich vs. Gene Kruppa drum battle and the Buddy Rich “Bus Tape”.

    You can find both of them easily on YouTube.com – The Rich Vs. Kruppa drum battle is to the song Sing Sing Sing. Rich is an obvious winner in that battle but I’ve heard that Kruppa was very sick during the battle, and Rich was also in his prime when it was filmed. Check it out for yourself, Sammy Davis. Jr. declares the battle a tie at the end.

    Now the Buddy Rich BUS TAPES! Buddy Rich laid into his band hardcore on the bus after a gig. He was very upset with them and told them they played like “high school dropouts”. It’s full of four letter words. When you’re playing with a band and tempers run high people often refer to these tapes, like “he’s as bad as Buddy Rich on the bus”, etc. You can also find this audio recording on YouTube.com – search for “Buddy bus”.

    20 Random Questions

    Here’s answers to a reader post. This is very self indulgent – but that’s the kind of thing that belongs only on a blog. Just be thankful it’s not a post about my cat.

    *****************

    Really enjoyed this young person’s “Report On a Music Producer“!

    How would you feel about answering 20 random questions from a (lol) slightly older group who would like to know more about you?

    ANSWER: Happy to do that. FYI, if you’re over 30 then you’re an old fart.

    – You graduated very young. Would you say this was more the result of having your abilities recognized and fostered, or, an unusually early discipline and drive?
    ANSWER: I skipped 3rd grade and 12th grade. I skipped 3rd grade because I went to a Montessori school in Memphis, TN (Lausanne) that let you go at your own speed. I chose fast. I skipped 12th grade because high school seemed like a waste of time. Instead of partying my last year I decided to double up on classes and graduate early. I REALLY enjoyed college, much better environment for study.

    – You’ve played amongst world renown artists and in some amazing places. Tell us about a performance that remains as vivid in your memory today as the day on which it occurred.
    ANSWER: Everything is always a blur to me. Friends have to remind me to get haircuts. But gigs that jump out as memorable were playing with Freddy Fender on his 60th birthday in Wisconsin. Playing on the DMZ between North and South Korea at a party for General Sherman (junior) Now THAT was a party! Singing with Archie Drake and Seattle Opera in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Playing with William Shatner at the Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth, CA. When Paul Shaffer sat in and played my keyboards at the Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas, NV. My first piano recital when I played “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (a woman told me she thought it was very good and I had never received a compliment like that from a stranger, it was a good feeling). I’ve played two country dance gigs where a dancer had a heart attack in the middle of a set. One made it, one didn’t – I remember both of them. What a great way to go….

    – Enormously gifted…tell us something you CAN’T do.
    ANSWER: LOTS of things I can’t do. Keeping small talk going for more than two minutes. Guitar. Cleaning my office (I have little elves that help me). DANCING. The “Wedge” fugue by JS Bach. I always miss a chord in the turnaround to “Georgia On My Mind” – and it’s so simple, that really bugs me. I cannot listen to music or play piano and carry on a conversation at the same time.

    – You’ve traveled extensively – what’s your favorite city?
    Of course I love the Seattle, WA area up to the Canadian border, and Mount Vernon, WA. For towns I’ve gigged at I would pick Albuquerque New Mexico, Hayward Wisconsin, Santa Barbara California and Colorado Springs, CO. My favorite international towns are Kobenhagn Denmark (Copenhagen) and Shanghai China.

    – Lol, I read once that you drive rather fast. Any bumper stickers on your vehicle?
    ANSWER: Au contraire. My friends all say I drive like an old grandma. I have one bumper sticker – BIG BEAR. It’s from Big Bear Lake in California. I used to do a lot of nature field recording there.

    – You’re given 24 hours of sheer bliss and contentment; what would you be doing?
    ANSWER: Exactly what I’m doing now. The rest is not appropriate for print.

    – What is the most common trait amongst your close friends?
    ANSWER: They enjoy least to talk about news and other people, but enjoy most to talk about ideas.

    – Three words your family and friends would use to describe you.
    ANSWER: My friends are overly generous with me. I cannot post their kind and sometimes admonishing words because then they would be mine, not theirs. So I will answer your question in a more clever fashion.

    THREE WORDS FRIENDS USE TO DESCRIBE ME:

    1. Conrad
    2. is
    3. a

    – Who have been your greatest mentors/teachers?
    ANSWER: George Fiore. Richard Sparks. Marlene McComb. Anne Rossiter. Archie Drake. Billie Jo Richards. George Shangrow. Richard Farner. Ron Stein. Freddy Fender. And I bet that none of them know that! All of these people are truly amazing.
    – As a network Administrator, you provide a very large number of forums, including those for discussions of faith. Do you have a favorite book of the Bible?
    ANSWER: The books of Corinthians.

    – Your experience in the music industry is very diverse, with projects ranging from classical to rap. What is it that would lead you to choose one project over another should they arise at the same time?
    ANSWER: That happens a lot. I picture the end product – the one that makes me feel best for the time invested is the one I choose. That might be my Achilles heel.

    – I’d rather be dunked in boiling oil than __________?
    ANSWER: Do another Karaoke recording demo.

    – At what historical world event would you like to have been present?
    ANSWER: THE REFORMATION!

    – Favorite authors?
    ANSWER: Kahlil Gibran. Scott M Peck. Carlos Castaneda.


    – You seem to thrive, and indeed, even gravitate towards challenging conditions. Are you a rebel, or a visionary?

    ANSWER: If I say I’m a rebel then I sound like a meaningless troublemaker and if I say visionary then I would be pompous. I have heard the “visionary” word thrown my way a lot but think it extremely poorly placed. To me, to be a visionary, you should contribute something that really impacts mankind in a meaningful way. Something that pushes the tipping point in a better direction. Sadly I have yet to do anything remotely like that.

    – You’ve been known to really enjoy a good prank; are you someone others avoid on April Fool’s Day?
    ANSWER: You’re safe on April Fool’s – but watch out for every other day of the year. (Doing a joke on April Fool’s is too obvious.)

    – You compose, conduct, teach, produce, perform – are there any avenues musically you have yet to take your skills to?
    ANSWER: I have not written a hit musical. I have not scored a major motion picture release. I have not yet been hired to score a hip hop album with orchestra. I have not conducted an opera. I have not conducted a major symphony. I have not worked for Cirque Du Soleil. I have not been musical director for a long running show on the Las Vegas strip. Yes, there are still a lot of things left to do. Hehe….as I was writing those I had to go back and re-word several of them because I realized that I have or am doing many of them. Life is good.

    – You’re a contestant – Fear Factor, or Jeopardy?
    ANSWER: JEOPARDY!

    – Hilary’s bid for the Presidency is being watched with great interest. What woman (or women) would you like to see nominated?
    ANSWER: I don’t see a difference.

    – I once said I had a mental picture of you hosting a dozen dinner guests, and breaking the ice by throwing out a very hot topic…then sitting back, and watching with great satisfaction. Tonight, what 12 guests would you like to invite? (And, P.S. – From the thousands of us you have drawn together in various forums, theatres, churches, arenas and numerous other venues, thank you. We’ve enjoyed ‘sitting’ at your table!)
    ANSWER: My Twelve Dinner Guests

    1. Carl Sagan
    2. Socrates
    3. Freddy Mercury
    4. Michael Shermer
    5. Martin Luther
    6. J.S. Bach
    7. Victor Borge
    8. Paul
    9. Klaus Nomi
    10. Orson Welles
    11. William Shakespeare
    12. Mark Twain

    Then at dinner I turn the conversation over to religion and politics. Ah, what a great round of talk that would be to see. And then they would each have to perform a work of their own creation. Klaus Nomi would not have much to say, I just want to see him perform after dinner. We should probably invite Ann Druyan to keep Carl Sagan in line.