Mendelssohn 2 (Lobgesang) - Alto or Tenor

[MrHCinDE]

Can anyone report from their own experience of playing the upper part of Lobgesang?

I have an alto and am playing it a lot right now so pretty comfortable with intonation etc.

In the next year we have Rheinisch coming up, this year Sinfonie Fantastique which I’m tending towards alto on but still a bit on the fence.

For Lobgesang, most video recordings I could find have the 1st part on (German) tenor. On the other hand I know the conductor will want the trombones pretty quiet, I can already visualize “The Händ”

[MStarke]

I don't know what's historically correct, but I would most certainly play Lobgesang and Rhenish on alto and have done both in the last 2 years.

In the end it's more secure on alto, especially if you have to keep the volume down. And it simply sounds lighter and more transparent.

For Symphonie Fantastique I would probably play tenor.

[LeTromboniste]

It can sound very nice on alto but there's also a few moments that are a bit awkward. And all those unison soli, in my opinion, work best with three Bb instruments.

[CalgaryTbone]

I played it on Alto. In unisons with an alto on top, I usually suggest that the Tenor player (2nd) take the lead and I try to fit within the sound of the other players. I just played a Mozart Mass a couple of weeks ago, and that approach worked well for that repertoire.

Jim Scott

[MStarke]

Jim, good suggestion to have the second trombone take the lead on the unison passages in Lobgesang (and other similar pieces). I considered that as well, but in that specific setting and section preferred to keep the lead myself. I even thought about switching between alto and tenor.

[MrHCinDE]

Ok, thanks for the suggestions, especially like the idea of letting the 2nd player lead on unison parts, whether I up with alto or a small tenor.

I should say for context that my alto is a 36h which is a bit more towards a tenor sound than some other altos, and of course has the valve to help out in parts in the lower range.

I might try small tenor in Symphony Fantastique, at the risk of confusing myself by changing between alto clef reading on Eb and Bb instruments!

[MStarke]

I generally feel that a larger alto like the 36h (I have a 35h and also a Kanstul which plays relatively large) are good solutions for these situations and can make blending easier. So you will certainly be doing great!

Also - as I just came across this again - as long as I cannot play it as wonderfully as Matthew Gee, I would never play Rhenish on tenor:
That's a fantastic clip!

[MrHCinDE]

Thanks, that clip is beautiful, something to aspire towards at least!