I just learned that when orchestral musicians read a part in a score for an instrument that no longer exists, they transpose it on sight to the key of the more modern instrument, if it happens to be in a different key, as is often the case when a modern instrument replaces an older one. I had thought that publishers would issue a transposed score.
Leaving aside the issue of original instruments vs. modern ones, just from a technical viewpoint this is astounding. I have already looked at scores of and listened to playing of very difficult pieces, and been in awe of the musicians who could negotiate them. Now the idea that they are also sometimes transposing all the notes to another key at sight is so amazing that I'm getting a little queasy just thinking about it!! Peter, is this true??
Leaving aside the issue of original instruments vs. modern ones, just from a technical viewpoint this is astounding. I have already looked at scores of and listened to playing of very difficult pieces, and been in awe of the musicians who could negotiate them. Now the idea that they are also sometimes transposing all the notes to another key at sight is so amazing that I'm getting a little queasy just thinking about it!! Peter, is this true??
Comment