This week we are highlighting another new arrangement from Robert McCashin. This time it is an adaptation of Michael Haydn’s Flute Quartet in D.
Austrian composer Michael Haydn was the younger brother to Franz Joseph Haydn. Their father was a wheelwright and served in an official capacity as “Marktrichter” (essentially, the Mayor of Rohrau, where they lived). Michael was born in 1737, and at age 8 went to Vienna, following in his older brother’s footsteps. By age 12, he was earning money as a part-time organist and had already begun composing. He soon thereafter received praise for his singing skills. He became a Kapellmeister in Salzburg at age 24, where he remained for the remaining 44 years of his life. During those years, he penned more than 350 compositions, both instrumental and choral. One of those works was his Flute Quartet in D Major. This “Allegro in D Major” is an arrangement/adaptation of the first movement of that quartet. The score for Michael Haydn’s Flute Quartet was uncovered and first published in 1959 by Berlin publisher Berlin-Lichterfelde.
The Allegro in D Major is a light-hearted, yet spirited work. It’s important to keep it from ever being too heavy or dense in character, and equally important that it well balanced, from a voicing perspective. All spiccato 8th notes need to be executed out beyond the balance point in the bow – somewhat closer to the middle, where the touch of the bow is ‘crisp’. Listen carefully for the harmonic shifts and play those up (mm.53-60, as an example). In the ‘give-and-take’ conversational passages, keep a good sense of balance between voices. And finally, the dynamics provided are broad recommendations, but various dynamic shape should be applied as pitch-class/note ascents and descents occur. Be cheerful and have fun with it!
In addition to an extensive list of publications, Dr. Robert McCashin is a Professor Emeritus, having completed 43 years teaching at the university level. His former position was as Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting and Violin at James Madison University. During Dr. McCashin’s final 24 years (at JMU), he served as the music director and conductor for the Symphony, Opera Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Camerata Strings. In addition, he taught Graduate Applied Conducting, MM and DMA academic courses for conductors as well as applied violin & viola. Dr. McCashin is a string educator and an active writer/arranger in the string education field. He maintained a busy conference presentation schedule throughout his career, making presentations on conducting technique, string pedagogy and the math-science-physics & physiology of string playing. His works can be found through FJH Music Co. in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Tempo Press/Luck’s Music in Madison Heights, MI and Wingert-Jones/JW Pepper in PA. He is the Founder of, and Past President for the International College Orchestra Directors Association.
Thursday, March 21, 11:00am Ballroom D-E Vivace and ViBravo Orchestra Featured work: 1812 Overture Grade 3, String Orchestra, Peter Ilyich Tschaikowsky Arranged by Sandra Dackow
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