Classical Music Mayhem!!

That's right, I haven't seen Bassoontastic in a while... He commented on my thread on Berwald's Bassoon Concerto then flew the coop!

Speaking of wind instruments, I can play a mean kazoo!

perhaps even worse

By the way, here is the Youtube clip of "Veni, me sequere fida" from Vivaldi's Juditha triumphans:
LINK

That's a nice clip. We actually have a topic about Juditha Triumphans here.

Then you'll want to check out this topic!

The standard harmonica has had a lot of works written for it, but they're not usually heard often. Mike Bonfiglio, with whom I went to high school, is probably the world's finest harmonica virtuoso, doing works by Villa-Lobos, Vaughan-Williams, and many others. If you go back to vaudeville days, the musical saw was a common novelty "instrument"...'don't know if anyone has actually written something for it, but I wouldn't be surprised. SS

Well the harmonica is featured rather prominently in rock music as well as folk and blues. A quick Google search tells me that there are harmonica concertos, and the first link takes me to Amazon.



Amazon Link

Don't know if they're any good, but that page does have samples.

Yes, I had seen that before. Totally irreverent, but funny nonetheless! I must say I got a kick out of it...

By the way, it shows good coordination and practice on their part; it wasn't mindless kazooing!

Let's return to Vivaldi's Concerto RV558. This work is remarkable not only for the use of the "salmoé", but for a series of "unusual instruments" experiments.
We find 2 mandolins, 2 theorbos, 2 flutes, 2 salmoes, and also 2 "violini in tromba marina": two violins played imitating the "tromba marina".
As already observed, we can see that Biondi and the 2nd violin soloist have put tinfoil on the ponticello and play "col legno" (with the bow upside down).

What exactly means "violino in tromba marina"?
What kind of instrument was the "tromba marina"?

on the web we can found interesting information:

http://www.trombamarina.com/tm.htm (with audioclips: surprising and almost incredible the similarity of the harsh sound of this string instrument with that of a trumpet!)
Interview with Kate Buehler-McWilliams (Italian and English): http://www.kultunderground.org/articoli.asp?art=792
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tromba_marina
in-deep study: http://www.oriscus.com/mi/tm/index.htm

interesting reviews of the Biondi recording at Amazon

Interesting links Brine, thanks for the follow-up there! One of the web pages you linked also has some additional early instruments that were unusual.

Trombo Marina



The Rebec (looks to be a version of the fiddle)



The Square Fidle



Waisted Vielle



The Citole



More discussion on these instruments here.

:lol:

Agreed!

Here's a whole bunch of these "strange and unpleasant sounding" instruments... There seem to be many types.

That can get you shot in classical music circles!

Though the piano is a great instrument for rock 'n' roll.

It's got me numerous threats of violence over the years! I always have to look over my shoulder.
I routinely refer to the Steinway is a Jazz piano so your other comment comes as no surprise to me.

Agreed!!!

Haven't seen you for a while, Antonio! Been busy composing for Emperor Joseph II?