Instrumentation and transposition Flashcards
Who would you give a “clarino” part to?
Look at the score. It would usually be piccolo trumpet, but in Mozart could mean clarinet.
What is a clarone?
Bass clarinet
What piece uses the hecklephone, and which modern instrument is it played on?
Alpine Symphony, oboe
Which piece uses the buccina (plural buccine), and which modern instrument is it played on?
Pines of Rome, Respighi, flugelhorn or trumpet, euphonieum/baritone for the bass ones.
Which two famous pieces use the ophicleide, and which modern instrument is it played on?
Mendelssohn Midsummer Night’s Dream; Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique; tuba
Which piece uses the serpent, and which modern instrument is it played on?
Wagner’s opera Rienzi; contrabassoon
Which piece uses the basset horn, and which modern instrument is it played on?
Mozart Requiem, clarinet (also several Mozart operas). Also Strauss’ Elektra and Rosenkavalier.
Which works use the Tuben, and who usually plays them?
The Ring Cycle, Bruckner 7-9, Stravinsky Rite of Spring, and Strauss Alpensinfonie and Elektra. Usually played by the horns.
Bratsche
Viola
Which piece uses the bandoneon, and who usually plays them?
Type of Argentinean concertina; solo instrument in Piazzolla works
Geige
Violin (German)
What special instrument(s) are found in Strauss Dance of the Seven Veils?
Heckelphone
What special instrument(s) are found in Tchaikovsky Orchestra Suite No. 2?
4 accordions (optional)
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the bass clarinet
B♭ (meaning it is a transposing instrument on which a written C sounds as B♭), but it sounds an octave below the soprano B♭ clarinet. Treble clef and sometimes bass clef.
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the baritone saxophone
Treble clef, key of E♭, pitched an octave plus a major sixth lower than written.
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the contrabass
bass clef, sounds an octave lower than written.
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the Wagner tuba
Tenor in Bb: treble clef, sounds a 9th below the written note. Bass in F: treble clef, sounds a perfect fifth lower than written. They usually appear in pairs.
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the Heckelphone
Treble clef, sounds 1 octave lower than written. Played by an oboist on bass oboe, or a bassoonist.
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the Harmonium
RH treble, LH bass (like most keyboard instruments). Key of C, sounds as written. Played by the piano/keyboard player or an extra musician.
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the viola da gamba
Various clefs depending on size of instrument; mostly bass and tenor for the large one. Key of C (non-transposing), played by cellist.
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the tenor tuba
bass clef or treble clef. key of Bb: sounds a whole step lower in bass clef, sounds a 9th lower in treble clef. Usually played by trombonist or tubist (it’s similar to a euphonium).
Indicate the clef(s) and transposition(s) - including the relationship to concert pitch - used for the basset horn
Treble clef, sounds a perfect 5th lower than written (key of F) - same as the English horn
What special instrument(s) are found in Bruckner Symphony No 7?
4 Wagner tubas
What special instrument(s) are found in Mozart Requeim
2 basset horns
What special instrument(s) are found in Strauss Ein Heldenleben?
tenor tuba
What special instrument(s) are found in Kodaly Hary Janos Suite?
alto sax, cimbalom
List the instrumentation for Brahms Symphony No. 4
2223 - 4230 timp+1 str
[1.2/pic] [1,2,cbn]
List the sounding pitch as related to written pitch for E-flat clarinet
Sounds a minor 3rd higher than written
List the sounding pitch as related to written pitch for B-flat bass clarinet
Sounds a M9 lower in treble clef (“French notation”, more common today); sounds a whole step (M2) lower in bass clef (“German notation,” the highest notes are written in treble clef, also sounding a M2 lower than written).
List the sounding pitch as related to written pitch for contrabassoon
Sounds an octave lower than written
List the sounding pitch as related to written pitch for F horn
Sounds a P5 lower than written
List the sounding pitch as related to written pitch for glockenspiel
Sounds 2 octaves higher than written
List the sounding pitch as related to written pitch for celesta
Sounds 1 octave higher than written
List the sounding pitch as related to written pitch for double bass
Sounds 1 octave lower than written
There is a four-note solo in Tchaikovsky’s 6th symphony that is sometimes played by what instrument that doesn’t appear in the original instrumentation? For what instrument does this “new” instrument substitute?
Bass clarinet. The 4 notes are originally written for bassoon.
Although this part appears in the score what instrument is NOT used in a performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto?
Trombone (the part consists of cues for other instruments)
What work might have the following instrumentation: 0000 - 0000 Glockenspiel strings
The Magic Flute
In what clef is Horn in E-flat written, and what is the relationship of concert pitch to transposed notation?
Treble and bass clefs, sounding a major 6th lower than written
In what clef is Clarinet in E-flat written, and what is the relationship of concert pitch to transposed notation
Treble clef, sounding a minor third higher than written
In what clef is English horn written, and what is the relationship of concert pitch to transposed notation
Treble clef, sounding a perfect 5th lower than written
In what clef is contrabassoon written, and what is the relationship of concert pitch to transposed notation
Bass and sometimes tenor clef, sounding an octave lower than written
In what clef is Trumpet in D written, and what is the relationship of concert pitch to transposed notation
treble clef, sounding a major 2nd higher than written
In what clef is tenor saxophone written, and what is the relationship of concert pitch to transposed notation
treble clef, sounding a major 9th lower than written
In what clef is horn in B-flat basso written, and what is the relationship of concert pitch to transposed notation?
Treble and bass clefs. Sounds a major 9th lower than written in treble clef, and a major 2nd lower than written in bass clef (known as “old notation”).
What performers, not listed in the front of the score, are needed for a performance of the complete “Three-Cornered Hat” ballet by Falla?
Mezzo-soprano solo; voices to shout “ole!”
What special instruments are found in Bartok: First Rhapsody for Violin, and who might play it?
Cimbalom - played by extra musician
What special instruments are found in Corigliano: Symphony No. 1, and who might play them?
Mandolins; string player or extra
What special instruments are found in Khachaturian Piano Concerto, and who might play them?
Flexatone; percussionist
What special instruments are found in Mahler Symphony No. 7, and who might play them?
Guitar and Mandolin; string player or extra
What special instruments are found in Mahler Symphony No. 8?
Harmonium, mandolin
What special instruments are found in Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet?
Tenor saxophone; wind player or extra
What special instruments are found in Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, and who might play them?
bass trumpet - played by trombonist; Wagner Tuben, played by horn players
What special instruments are found in Mahler: Seven Songs, and who might play it?
oboe d’amore; oboist
What special instruments are found in Strauss: Alpensinfonie and who might play it?
Heckelphone (oboist), Wagner tuben (horns)
What special instruments are found in Strauss: Don Quixote, and who might play them?
tenor tuba (euphonium), trombonist
In what works might you find the cimbasso, and who might play it?
Verdi works; trombone or tuba
In what works might you find the herdenglocken, and who might play it?
Mahler Symphony No. 6 or 7; percussion (herdenglocken are cowbells)
In what works might you find the ophicleide, and who might play it?
Mendelssohn Midsummer Night’s Dream, tuba
In what works might you find the sarrusophone, and who might play it?
Ravel Rhapsodie espagnole, contrabassoon
What is the difference between a trumpet, cornet, and piston?
The trumpet is cylindrical and more brilliant. The cornet is conical and softer, while the piston was traditionally a cornet with valves.
When trumpet and cornet/piston are present in the orchestration, what part would the principal trumpet usually play? In what composer’s works would you find this situation?
The principal player would usually play the more difficult/exposed part. Check with the principal trumpet. Berlioz, Tchaikovsky. Often cornet parts are given to trumpet 1&2, and trumpet parts go to trumpet 3&4.
What is unusual about Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1?
It is scored for strings plus solo trumpet (in addition to the solo piano).
What is unusual about Honegger’s Symphony No. 2?
It’s scored for strings and optional trumpet.
What is “old notation” for horns?
Instead of writing in treble clef and a 5th down, they wrote in bass clef an octave too low so it transposed up a 4th.
It’s also possible to have bass clef notation that’s the normal transposition (very rare).
People figure out the notation from context. Sometimes it changes in the middle of the line.
What interval is produced when the English Horn and E-flat Clarinet play the same written note?
a minor 7th
Which Beethoven Symphony has 3 horns?
Eroica (#3)
If you have questions about divisi/part assignments, what should you do?
Always check with the principal.
What’s unusual about the trumpet parts in Symphonie Fantastique?
The trumpet solo is in the 2nd trumpet part. (So the principal might want to play that.)
Who would play a post horn part?
A trumpet player, maybe on flugelhorn. (In Mozart and in Mahler 3)
What are the lowest notes on the string instruments?
Violin: G, Viola: C, Cello: C, Bass: E (unless it has an extension)
What special instruments are found in The Planets?
alto flute, bass oboe, tenor tuba
What special instruments are found in Ravel’s Bolero?
Three saxophones
Identify salient points about Mozart’s Serenata Notturna
It uses four orchestras.
Which piece calls for 8 horns onstage and 12 offstage?
Strauss Alpensinfonie
What is the sounding pitch of the piccolo trumpet?
It’s pitched in Bb, so it sounds a minor 7th higher than written.
In what work would you find a bass trumpet, and who might play it?
The Ring Cycle. Played by a trumpet or trombone (due to its larger mouthpiece)
What clefs are used for the various types of trombones?
They read in alto, tenor, and bass clefs at different times.
What work used four pianos?
Stravinsky Les Noces
What unusual instrument is found in Respighi’s Feste Romane?
Mandolin
Describe “old notation” for cello.
It was written in treble clef (sounding an octave lower than written) (in Dvorak, Bruckner, Mahler).
What is a quick substitute for tenor sax (if you can’t use the bass clarinetist)?
Just change the part from treble to tenor clef, and fix the key and accidentals. Then a bassoonist or cellist could play it. The Bb transposition and octave change are automatically done.
Unusual instruments in Strauss’ “Elektra”?
heckelphone, 2 bassett horns, 4 Wagner tubas, bass trumpet, contrabass trombone
Unusual instrument(s) in Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances?
alto saxophone
Unusual instruments in Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring?
alto flute, Wagner tubas, bass trumpet
Unusual instruments in Ravel’s Rhapsodie Espagnole?
sarrusophone (played by contrabassoon)
Unusual instruments in Ravel’s Bolero?
oboe d’amore, soprano and tenor saxophone
Unusual instruments in Bernstein’s Slava! ?
soprano saxophone, electric guitar, prerecorded tape
Unusual instruments in Strauss Don Quixote?
tenor tuba (also solo cello)
What is a serpent?
A wind instrument with a mouthpiece like a brass instrument but side holes like a woodwind. Generally made out of wood. Generally played by a trombone or tuba player on one of those instruments. Appears in Wagner’s Rienzi and in Verdi operas.
What is a sarrusophone?
A woodwind instrument made of metal, played with either a double or single reed. Today it’s usually covered by the contrabassoon. (appears in Ravel’s Scheherazade, Rhapsodie espagnol, and Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice.)
What is an ophicleide?
A keyed brass instrument similar to the tuba. Generally covered by tuba in the orchestra.
What is unusual about Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5?
Calls for contrabassoon and serpent in unison. (This suggests doubling contra part on a modern tuba, but no tuba part is provided.) Usually just played by contra. ‘
Barenreiter ed. Includes a transition between mvts 3 and 4 that was later deleted by the composer
What is unusual about Britten’s Spring Symphony?
Cow horn is usually played by a horn player. Would probably need to rent it from someone (Boosey or another musician). Not sure if one of the 4 horn players listed can play it, or if they would need to hire a 5th person. Would have to check the score to see how many people are playing at a given time.
