Jim Mason
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La Traviata 1092During 1982 the RMSM Band was in residence at the Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow as a base for some London engagements. We had at very short notice, a request to provide players for a recording of La Traviata, with the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Ambrosian Opera Chorus, conducted by Riccardo Muti, In the opera there is a village scene with the Chorus and the village band. lasting about 4 minutes. Riccardo wanted the music to be as authentic as possible and sent me a copy of the original score, for 11 players, mostly wood wind from the period, including clarinets in various pitches (I remember clarinets in D and F) We did a quick rehearsal and went to the studio, David Cole and myself going along to supervise! We were familiar with the Ambrosian Chorus, having invited them down to Deal for the Thursday concerts on two previous occasions. (The Orchestra was not present) The studio was only booked for one hour and it was not until we went to rehearse that Riccardo realised that there should also be two percussionints to play castanets, tambourine etc. Union rules being as they are he had to use accredited players and it would take at least an hour to get them to the site, neccesitating the expense of extending the hire of the studio, and extra fees for the Chorus.
I had a quick conference with Riccardo, which resulted in the only recording by a Royal Marines Band that I know of, where the percussion section comprised a Lieutenant and a Lieutenant Colonel!
The Record EMI, La Traviata. MUTI SLS5240
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Co-admin
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I'll lay odd on who packed the kit away 
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mrbassbone
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| admin@home wrote: | | I'll lay odd on who packed the kit away |
You mean to say that the "light-colonel' would not lower himself to pack up his own percussion kit? I am appalled...just appalled.    
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FFoglamp
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Thats why I didn't get the gig then. I probably had to go and have a curry in hounslow that night !!! 
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RAB
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Re: La Traviata 1092 | Jim Mason wrote: | | the percussion section comprised a Lieutenant(David Cole) and a Lieutenant Colonel! |
David joined "the hard way," as an adult entry, at the same time as we were in J/Wing. He was a fine musician, who did me ( and himself) a huge favour later in service by exchanging drafts, Scotland/Deal. I'm sure his piano skills stood him in good stead for the "tuned" percussion solos.. 
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Aaron Aardvark
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Sorry Mr Jim Sir but I'm only a divvy aardvark......if you did La Traviata gig in 1092 you must be Very old sir. In fact you would have been sucking up to old King Rufus at that time and playing for the occupying french persons in their ward room. Did you have to play in chain mail? It must have been rough under your cerries tunic. 
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mrbassbone
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| Aaron Aardvark wrote: | | Sorry Mr Jim Sir but I'm only a divvy aardvark......if you did La Traviata gig in 1092 you must be Very old sir. In fact you would have been sucking up to old King Rufus at that time and playing for the occupying french persons in their ward room. Did you have to play in chain mail? It must have been rough under your cerries tunic. |
Dang...for a Vark with "beady" eyes, you seem to have caught something that everyone else missed....
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