"The Natural" - A Suite for Brass, Organ & Percussion: I.

[Olen1009]

Good musicians, but I miss the trumpet that played the organ part on the soundtrack.

[DoggieBark]

I am a student of David Baxter, he really has taught me a lot about trumpets. I enjoy his enthusiasm greatly.

I really enjoy this piece, very beautifully done.

[conneryj]

Andrew: I was so delighted to come across this! I wanted you to know, I was one of your dad's students (class of '78, to be exact), and one of Bethany's first psychology majors. Your father was a joy to know as a teacher and a mentor, and my heart broke when I learned of his passing. My best to you and your family. Jeanne

[hotlipsab]

Jeanne, I sent you a personal message via youtube, please look for it in your inbox. Thank you!

Andrew

[GetzenBassPlayer]

Very emotional music. Wherever your father may be, this brought a smile to his face.

[hotlipsab]

GBP, I tend to think so as well.  =)

All the best!

[DoggieBark]

Why is the screen in the back opening up and closing in the back. Good playing by the way.

[hotlipsab]

The "screen" is actually the shutters on the pipe organ. They are used to control the volume (soft, loud, etc.)

Hope that helps. Thanks for watching

Andrew

[jflandry39]

Does anyone know how I could put this song on my ipod

[JLSTHERAT]

awesome,, "thumbs up"

[RedRuffing15]

Wow, i would love for any of the bands I was ever in to play this arrangement. The only thing I love more than playing songs on my trumpet I've heard in movies is the movie The Natural itself. And this group plays this Awesome.

[hotlipsab]

You are very kind to say so. It was truly an honor to give this recital, and especially to perform this piece in memory of my dad.

Best wishes,

Andrew

[camselle]

Is it me or did Randy Newman rip off Aaron Copland a little..?

[hotlipsab]

Haha, well I guess you could look at it like that a bit. But then again, everyone uses ideas from everyone else. There's an Allegro section from Mov. II - "The Whammer Strikes Out" that absolutely reeks of Copland...but of course, Copland never patented using tons of open fourths and fifths.... that's just what we associate with his "sound." Hope you enjoyed the piece! - Andrew

[camselle]

I did enjoy the piece... If u ever do a version of "I Love LA".. by all means put it up!!!

[tapsbugler]

It's Copland who influenced so much film music today. And actually Newman ripped himself off. some of this music is heard in an earlier film he scored called "Cold Turkey" :)

Anyway, nice setting of this soundtrack which happens to be favorite book/movie of mine.

[mattyg1306]

Here's the excerpt from "The Wonder Years" finale...the final minute (which is actually an excerpt from "The Natural" End Titles) not only sums up the series, but also life for anyone whoever grew up in America!  Check it out!

[hotlipsab]

You know what's funny....the final episode of the Wonder Years was one of the all-time great series finales. When the kid finally got Winny in that barn, I almost lost it. Then when the narrator told about the rest of his life....not marrying her....and what happened to the rest of his family.... man. And of course, talking about his father passing away...well, especially now, I know what that's like, but even then it hit me hard.

Great last episode.

[mattyg1306]

Wow, its great to hear one of my favorite songs of all time performed live! This is a great job on this piece...in places, it sounds exactly like the recording. I agree totally with PianoScales, it is truly an Americana piece. I first heard this when the first few minutes of the song was repurposed in the series finale of "The Wonder Years"...my favorite TV series of all time. After I heard it, it took me TWO YEARS to find out who made it and locate the CD recording. Again, excellent job!!!

[PianoScales]

Trully American feeling. Some nuances reminds me Charles Ives and the middle section, maybe Aaron Copland. Anyway, the organ sounds marvellous when among the brass ensemble. So, this is a work with good taste and also spirituality.