Curious about the instrument thats taking the place of the tuba in Elijah this week? Its an ophicleide (literally keyed serpent) and SSO trombonist Nick Byrne is one of the few players worldwide who specialise in this low brass instrument. «Sweet and resonant in its upper register while gruff and individual in its lower voice, the ophicleide has a truly unique character and temperament all of its own. It is these unique qualities that attracted composers to write parts specific for the instrument, most famously Berlioz, Mendelssohn, Meyerbeer and Wagner… Berlioz commented that “...under a mass of brass instruments it works miracles” however solo passages can be likened to “…an escaped Bull jumping around in a drawing-room”. While the modern tuba now fulfils the role that once was occupied by the ophicleide in the orchestra, where music specifies the earlier keyed instrument (e.g. Elijah) the lighter and more transparent nature of the ophicleide can often prove more sympathetic.»
Posted on: Fri, 16 May 2014 10:10:01 +0000
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