Elsa's Procession to Cathedral by Richard Wagner

Elsa's Procession to Cathedral by Richard Wagner performed by Thomas Lee and the 2008 5A Texas All-State Symphonic Band.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• elsa's
• procession
• to
• cathedral
• richard
• wagner
• texas
• all
• state
• band
• thomas
• lee
• classical

[violinthief]

I should have been there - some of my students were in this group. The end is excellent, good brass!, though I don't care for the dirgelike tempo. However, the woodwind tuning at the beginning is rather bad, which is unacceptable, especially since it's one on a part. One of the soloists was weak, but I won't single that person out. BTW, I have a posted Elsa's recording that is better than this, which, according to you, makes me qualified to offer criticism. Pretty good overall, but flawed.

[scutterbotch08]

I think I've been misinterpreted - I'm fine with criticism, I just don't like it when people say something like - "this sucks" or "bad" or "not good". Notice other people posted criticism of this video earlier, it was only one that I commented on. At least say something more than that sucks, back it up with something or a better recording.

BTW I go to school with one of your former students :)

[scutterbotch08]

And FWIW I agree with you, definite tuning issues

[jarodamo]

you have to remember tho

this is part of an opera

its a story of Elsa's Procession to The Cathedral

on her way to her wedding

the rubato (speed up/slow down) and malleability of the tempo is symbolic of her sudden reassurance and confidence, followed by apprehension and hesitation, respectively. Wagner intended for the piece to have the same passion that Elsa would have - so the speed is actually more accurate.

[chygal790]

it's an emotion filled song, if the conductor feels it should go faster or slower then so be it. that's the beauty of music...to show passion and to tell a story. music is subjective. no matter what, it sounds wonderful.

[xfancypants123]

at 2:08 that kid toke a way big breath.

[FunkkyPanda]

Love this song, it will he played at my wedding :)))

[DjMoneybagzz]

No dislikes....as it should be.

[Aeromedic]

I've seen a lot of commentary on the "Tempo Issues". I think it is less a matter of a bad tempo, rather, disjointed tempo changes. A number of times throughout it seems that rather than a gentle flow between the long and flowing phrasing that is somewhat of the signature of the piece, there are little gaps just before the tempo picks up. This gives it a feel of unevenness and disconnectedness.

[audir1thenewone]

@HoeeSayy Im a bass clarinetist too XD. Were playing this now.

[HoeeSayy]

I was a bass clarinetist in this band. I listen to our performance of this piece every now and then on my ipod and still get goosebumps because there was a certain joy I got after we finished this piece that I have yet to re-experience. It was a breathtaking moment for me personally

[DrunkenKangeroo]

I have the privilege of playing the E flat part to this on tour in Germany in a week :) i already feel sorry for my lip......

[MRFLAPPYTREE]

we r just starting to learn this song in my band. im a bass trombone player but i have to play the baritone part cause...we dont have any...lol. my greatest fear for this song is that a couple of the trombones are gonna not take the last 6 measures seriously and blast the hell out of it. being one of the few songs we've played where the back row of brass is incouraged to play out...god i hope they dont mess it up. to good of a song to have someone jerk around on.

[StormyPleasure101]

we played this song at festival we had to slow down we had to keep reminding everyone not to go fast it a good peice it had all of us so scared to play it because we kept playing it fast at practice but when you get to the last 15 measures it so worth laying it slow the power of the song just builds up in you

[SsgtTimothy]

I just played this a TMEA and this almost brought a tear to my eye, it's so beautiful