Orchestral Rep Library

[TheChiefofStaph]

I'd like to start building a collection of individual parts both because works by folks like Shostakovich, Hindemith, Janacek, and any number of other 20th century composers aren't readily available in excerpt books and also because I've noticed inaccuracies between these excerpt books and the actual parts (from as small as different articulations to as large as different notes). Based on excerpts lists obtained from this board and from other sources it appears that there are a number of excerpts common to most auditions and I think that it would be wise to own these parts. So, what is the best way to buy individual parts for orchestral pieces? Directly contact the publisher (and, if so, how do I find this out) or is there a better method? Also, is there a typical price for an individual part (read: is what I'm attempting going to be very cost-prohibitive)?

Thanks!
Ben

[Mark]

I'd like to start building a collection of individual parts both because works by folks like Shostakovich, ...

The Cherry CD is a great start. There are also the Torchinsky books. Some parts, such as those of Shostakovich are rental only. There really is no legal way to obtain those parts.

[brianf]

A few years ago some of the music of some of the great composers of the former Soviet Union were public domain. With the breakup, different laws applied and most of these works were covered by copyright again. Remember when the Torchinsky books had them then all of a sudden you cou could not get the book? That's why they are no longer available!

As far as the Cherry CD, they do offer updates for registered users but all the parts are public domain. For example, in the last update Holst's Planets was in there since it just became public domain.

As far as what to do for auditions to get parts, here's where you seperate the men from the boys. For years every time I played something that I knew was hard to get, I copied the part and put it in a book. Next time I had the part - that comes from experience, playing orchestras for a number of years! Yep, it's tough for students, we've all gone through it.

[brianf]

Nope, but like most orchestral players, I have my own collection put together over the years.

A few years ago when I was doing copyrights for the Jacobs book, I wanted to put the Bydlo part in there. I contacted the copyright owner who wanted a hundred bucks! That was for about 25 measures or a buck a beat. You notice the final book does not have it!

To come out with a book of copyrighted excerpts you need to get the parts, contact the copyright holder, pay the fees, print it, try to sell it at a real high price to cover the expenses. Everyone will bitch about the price then comes the copying thang, you lose money on the whole thing - remember, you pay the same fee to the copyright holder no matter how many copies sell.

I'm not stupid enough to do this!

[joh_tuba]

Just perused over to the Encore Music website and was pleased to note that a new volume of the Torchinsky series has been released. Vol 17 appears to cover Elgar.

FWIW,
Joseph

[timayer]

Ahh, that famous Spanish composer, El Gar