Ricercar Solo Help

[Scott Sutherland]

As I understand it, a ricercar is traditionally a contrapuntal work, a predecesor to the fugue. In the case of the Gabrielli, though, it seems to be more of a theme and variations.

With all do respect to Mr. Morris, I believe this transcription is problematic. Aside from the handful of wrong notes, this transcription uses octave displacement to account for the range limitations of the ability level for which it seems to have been written. C is set as the highest note in the transcription, and any phrase in the original composition that goes above this note is displaced an octave down. The problem is that the key is D minor, and very often phrases were written to use a high D as a focal point. I believe this is in part why performances of this work are often lackluster and have little in the way of musicality.

I have done my own transcription from the original composition in an effort to combat some of these problems. If you're interested, email me and I can send you a copy.

By the way, Joe Muro (aka "tubaguyjoe") just took second place in the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Solo Competition using (among other works) my transcription of the Gabrielli. Congrats, Joe!

[Tubaguyjoe]

Listen to this man, he knows what he is talking about. The research Scott did on this piece makes it so much better. Thanks for all your help Scott.

[Tigertuba]

The ricercar is a hard freakin' piece! When I did it, I began by marking out phrases in order to feel the resolutions and sit on them before going on. As far as the breathing, try to slip in a breath where ever you can and remember to not play loud as hell in order to stretch your breath out.