Time to read: 3 minutes
The usual video link is at the end of this note. You are welcome to go click on it before reading!
Good morning!
I have a very different video to share with you. I play it over and over again because I am reminded of my horn lessons with Philip Farkas at Indiana University. He was a great artist and human being who loved his craft and loved teaching. Also, I am always amazed at the beauty and majesty of the simplicity and elegance of Beethoven’s compositions.
I am sharing this with you because it shows how orchestra musicians reflect a level of professionalism and attention to detail immersed in tradition. This is something that is being lost in our world, and that is sad to me.
This is a 6 minute video segment of a master class for horn players at Carnegie Hall. Sarah Willis is the fourth hornist for the Berlin Philharmonic. In German, Berliner Philharmoniker.. Sarah is coaching a student in playing the number one horn excerpt called for in every single orchestral audition – the second horn part in the famous horn trio from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, known as “The Eroica.”
What you need to know before viewing:
What is a Master Class?
A Master Class is a two or three hour teaching session (seminar) led by a well known musical artist where the attendees are musicians and are invited to play in front of their colleagues to be coached in public. It can be nerve wracking. This master class was for full horn sections of orchestras being coached in orchestral passages. In this video, the student is a member of the Juilliard School orchestra. With him are his colleagues from the orchestra. He is second horn, to his left is the principal (first) horn of the section, and to his right is third horn. The fourth player is assistant principal, but because Beethoven only calls for three horns in the piece, she does not play.
What is happening?
The student is being coached by Sarah Willis in how to play the second horn part to win an audition. Notice the detailed comments. As a horn player, it is very difficult to play this excerpt once or twice without getting tired, and the student does quite well. Sarah Willis has his colleagues play with him at the end so that the audience and student can experience her coaching in context.
As a non-performer, audience member, I guarantee you if you hear The Eroica after this you will smile when you hear the excerpt!
I hope you enjoy this view into the world of orchestral performance.
And remember not to forget our past traditions (all traditions) exist for a very important reason and need to be passed on to our younger generations.
Here is the link: