German mouthpieces

[Ogmusicteacher]

Both of the W.C. Schmidt “Kruspe” and “Penzel” mouthpieces seem to be very popular with owners of German instruments. I haven’t had a chance to try either, but can you describe some differences when used in a large bore (Heckel) tenor? My semi-pro orchestra plays a lot of Classical (we did Mozart’s Requiem last month) and early Romantic (Beethoven #5 In the Fall).

Thanks very much.

[musicofnote]

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[Ogmusicteacher]

Thanks, musicofnote - guess I'll have to work on my Dresden accent, at least until I buy another horn.

[musicofnote]

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[RustBeltBass]

My way too wordily made point is, that just using a German mouthpiece on a German horn is not a guarantee, that you will get a German sound - not even mentioning in German playing style. not the same as so-called US style.

How would you summer up what both German Sound and German Style are to you ?

[musicofnote]

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[Ogmusicteacher]

Thanks for all the comments on German Style playing, but I’m still curious about these two mouthpieces.

[RustBeltBass]

How would you summer up what both German Sound and German Style are to you ?

I wouldn't "summer" it up. I would rather "fall" it up or "spring" it up. My favourite times of the year to visit Germany. If you want to "hear" the German style, drag out some of the older recordings of Vienna or Berlin conducted by Karajan - more available than most others of the period, because he was a media-nut. Personally, I never considered it much because living in Switzerland, my teachers oriented themselves on French playing and also on Slokar. I much preferred the Fench style since it was more similar to how I learned to play the trumpet, technically and musically, in the US. But I did get to play with some who'd learned in Germany from the old Meister, who had a very distinct manner of articulation. In any case, you can see by my instrument and mouthpieces choices and despite being pretty much bilingual, I'm not an expert in German style brass playing.

Maybe this can help you:
viewtopic.php?t=2366

Thank you for that, that was interesting. I do have a bit of German background and maybe a tiny bit of expertise, given that I spent the first 25 years of my life there, studied in Berlin in a rather progressive trombone studio and played two years in what by many is considered one of the most traditional German orchestras, the Staatskapelle Dresden as an academist, followed by one season as acting bass trombonist
in a smaller German orchestra.

When I moved to the USA, friends and colleagues at gigs (and in bars) would sometimes ask me about what German style is or which US orchestra in my opinion sounds most German.

I never knew what to answer to that. I could elaborate experiences in the two German orchestras I played with and just HOW different it was from the one time I played with another "very German orchestra" but only to underline my point that I do not recall ever having been asked to adjust to or play something in a "German style". I often felt that when chatting with US players about this, they were referencing to a color of sound (bright/dark). Given that it is continuosly part of orchestra recording reviews/posts in forums, Blogs etc. there must be something there, but I never felt able to break it down to a few general statements and always try to fogure out what that term means to others.


Sorry for this long odd topic post. Back to topic, lets finally compare those dang mouthpieces !!! OP, I do not know the answer to your question but if you send me a PM, I can bring
you in touch with someone who defintely can help you.

[musicofnote]

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