Advertise on ChoralNet
America, the Beautiful - arr. DragonDate: February 19, 2010
Hello:
Does anyone know if the Carmen Dragon arr. exists for SATB & organ or piano? Everyone, it seems, has sung this with either band or orchestra...but, if either piano or organ accomps available I would like to use it in church on July 4th(a Sunday) this year!
Thanks...
Tom Replies (7): Threaded | Chronological
David Janower on February 19, 2010 5:44pm
I believe Carmen's daughter still runs www.carmendragon.com and she is very helpful, and can tell you.
David
on March 12, 2010 4:35pm
Whoa! Hold on there!
Didn't asked for an enaudiation. My question was asked simply: "does anyone know if...."? An enaudiation might've been, "Yes, I know of just such an arrangement...and you can find it at......" 'Nuf said! I believe an organ/piano scoring, with some judicious percussion, has the potential for righteous levels of majesty. And, if not, perhaps I give you an address to which you can contribute $$ to pay the musicians for the original orchestration?
All best...
Tom
on March 12, 2010 8:38pm
I'm trying to envision (enaudiate?) those glorious diminished-chord triplets at the end on a piano or an organ. Dangerously low levels of majesty.
on March 12, 2010 5:06pm
Tom et al.
Dragon wrote this for the Hollywood Bowl Symphony, a truly terrific orchestra in its day, so OF COURSE any reduction for keyboard is not going to sound as good as the orchestra. But if it's published as a piano-vocal score (and I assume that it is), it should be as close as you can come while using the wrong instruments. I wouldn't worry as much about th end as I might about the rising horn scale in the last section, written to make your hair stand on end! And a piano or organ on the end will NEVER sound like a trumpet section, but so what?
John
on March 13, 2010 6:42am
Thank you, John, for your reply. I am aware of Dragon's connection with the Hollywood Bowl. In fact, one of their albums has been on my favorites list for years. As a hornist, and as a singer I know his arr. of America the Beautiful almost forwards and backwards. I'll be the first to tell you that anything less than the original scoring will be less satisfying for those familiar with it. But, I believe my idea has some merit. I have other options for anthems on 7/4...but this tops my list. Again, thank you for your insight.
Tom
on March 13, 2010 6:57am
Tom - here's the succinct reply, no audiation of any kind :-) I did this a few years ago with a large brass group, which was thrilling. But really, it's pretty effective event with the written keyboard orchestral reduction. If you have a creative pianist and organist, they might be able to add some flourish.
Dan Wagner
Grace UMC
Naperville, IL
on March 13, 2010 10:10am
Thank you, Dan, for your input. Brass group? Sounds like a wonderful idea!
All best...
Tom
|
Help support ChoralNet by buying via these links
| ||||||||||||||||
