In Debussy’s Prelude a l’apres-midi d’un faune (1894), the flute provides the piece with a calm and warm feeling thanks to the long notes and low pitches. The vibrato also provides an expressive character to the piece. Also, I have noticed the agility of the flute when performing short and staccato notes. Thus, delivering contrast to those long notes passages. The flute, within itself, contrasts in timber depending on whether performs a high, mid or low-pitch note. This way allows further contrast to the piece. It feels that the instrument is very versatile. While almost the same characteristics of tri-timber and agility, the oboe in Beethoven’s piece has a sad and solemn characteristic. The oboe is very expressive and blends easily with other woodwind family instruments. The oboe was noticed to have the ability to penetrate through the orchestra with ease. While listening to Sibelius’s The Swan of Tuonela (1895), the impression was that the cor anglais provides the piece with a darker and deeper character than the oboe. It felt almost sombre. In the high pitches, the timber was fragile and expressive. However, above all the characteristics, I feel that the instrument gave the piece clarity and tranquillity. In Rachmaninoff, the clarinet does not seem to have a major role; it is felt that the clarinet and woodwinds are applied for harmonic and colour purposes. The romantic part of the piece has a little solo performance quickly overtaken by the strings. On that occasion, the character is smooth and woody. The high pitch of the bassoon in Stravinsky’s piece is certainly an unusual timber. I feel that it provided softness and weakness to the opening. The sound was very subtle, airy and almost invisible, perhaps that was what Stravinsky was looking for to set the piece’s beginning.
Reference:
Debussy (1862-1918) – Prelude a l’apres-midi d’un faune (1894). Frankfurt Radio Symphony. Accessed on 17th Feb. 2023 from: https://youtu.be/Y9iDOt2WbjY
Beethoven (1770-1827) – Symphony No 3 (1805). Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra. Accessed on 17th Feb. 2023 from: https://youtu.be/MF1KRUYiUjM
Sibelius (1865-1957) The Swan of Tuonela (1895). NHK Symphony Orchestra. Accessed on 17th Feb. 2023 from: https://youtu.be/E9Pp8xAtww4
Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). Symphony No.2 (1907). Russian Symphony Orchestra. Accessed on 17th Feb. 2023 from: https://youtu.be/zMEoxlJL-HY
Stravinsky (1882-1971). The Rite of Spring (1913). London Symphony Orchestra. Accessed on 17th Feb. 2023 from: https://youtu.be/EkwqPJZe8ms
Orchestration and Arrangement 