Rehearsing and performing Johannes Brahms' Tragic Overture, Op. 81

Includes bibliographical references (page 17).The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly report on the orchestral project completed by the author in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Music in Conducting. The performance was presented at the California State University, Northridge, and Plaza del Sol Performance Hall on February 28, 2010. This performance was completed in collaboration with the CSUN Youth Philharmonic and their regular concert season under the direction of Dr. John Roscigno. The entire process will be discussed in some detail, from conception to execution. The paper is organized into four parts: Introduction/Project Goals, Preparation, Rehearsal Issues, and Performance: End Result. Each part will provide details regarding each of the preparatory and execution stages and provide insight into the successes and shortcomings of this project's end product. The goal of this project was to rehearse and perform a complete twenty-minute orchestral work in live concert. Initially, the goal's concept appeared to be simple and straightforward, but in reality it required many hours of study, planning, adjustment, and execution. The initial issue was determining the repertoire that would be best suited for performance. Several factors were taken into consideration: appropriate length of the musical work, technical ability level of the orchestra, appropriate programming in relation to the other musical works presented, and audience appeal. The programmed concert was to include Paul Creston'sMarimba Concerto (movement 1) and Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait on the second half of the concert, and it became immediately obvious that the program required a relatively lengthy concert overture to complete a well-rounded program. The orchestra that was used for this project was the California State University, Northridge, Youth Philharmonic. This group is a large, high-level youth orchestra consisting of students from grade seven to twelve. The orchestra's ability level was assessed both in rehearsal and by consideration of repertoire previously performed. For the age group and relative inexperience of the orchestra, it was important to program a work that included thick scoring, relatively few solo passages and music that was somewhat easily accessible to younger students. Several repertoire choices were discussed and considered, but the work that seemed to best fit the needs of the program and the orchestra was Johannes Brahms' Tragic Overture (Op. 81), with a duration of just under twenty minutes