The Frozen Cathedral (2013)........John Mackey (b. 1973) UNT Wind Symphony Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor Recorded live April 10th, 2014 Winspear Hall, College of Music University of North Texas music.unt.edu/windstudies
This recording has such incredible musicality, that it makes up for a few of the shortcomings in its intonation. The middle section here is taken more slowly than in many other recordings, and I think it's the most important part of the piece when done like this. The placement of all the modern percussion hits is so perfect and starts the driving sort of hemiola that continues in the loud part with the tambourine, and the balance here is quite notably superior to every other recording I have heard of this piece.
This piece doens't mention of an organ part. Does anybody know where I can obtain the part for organ? I would be very grateful if someone could help me on this one..... Thanks!
All over the place it seemed like. Could be my monitor speakers. 11:43 or 11:48 , 12:28. 12:39, 12:47, 12:59 , just before things break a little. 13:45.
+EuphoniaPooch Actually I'm glad you pointed this out! I feel like a lot of people don't understand the nature of the piece (which is okay!). At 11:43, the note that sounds off is actually part of the original theme that starts at 5:18 in the bass flute. The same is true at 12:28. At 11:48, the trombone flare that "sounds wrong" is actually intended by the composer. This piece was written in dedication to the son of John Locke (conductor of the premiering university ensemble at North Carolina Greensboro, also my favorite recording of this piece). John Locke's son passed away, I believe in a freak car accident. Don't quote me on that, but nevertheless a tragic story. He played the trombone and also played soccer, but was better at soccer, his dad tells us. So that "wrong note" is supposed to be a play off this story that he wasn't as good at the trombone. The same is true at 12:47. These places also bring surprise and throw off the listener, leaving them thinking, "huh!". Nevertheless, it's interesting! Now, as for 12:39, some brass instrument very obviously actually played the wrong note on accident. I left a comment on this video about 3 months ago about it if you find it. At 12:59, a trombone is just sticking out above the band. Not written in the music, they just got a bit excited haha. And finally, at 13:45, it's another reference to John Locke's son. However, in this video, the trombones are leaving a bit too much space in between those loud notes, in my opinion. It should be more smoothed out, almost as if there is no break - legato. Sorry for such the long comment but I just think this is so interesting how composers put everything in the music for a reason! Hope you've learned something, too! :)
That is an awesome bit of insight. Really moving actually. I figured there had to be some explanation for players at this level to be blowing out a note like that. As for whether it should be better integrated, I guess that's the conductor's call. But now I'll have a reference point if I hear anyone perform this. Thanks so much for explanation. Well done.
