Aerophones on WGUC

This assignment proved to be more difficult than initially expected. While it was easier to pick out chordophones, aerophones were exceedingly difficult. I did notice aerophones, it was just more difficult to distinguish between themselves.

The first piece was by Franz Joseph Haydn, called Scherzando #1. At first, there were no aerophones playing. Then what I believe to be a clarinet came in a played a somewhat melancholy tuned. It was promptly followed by a flute medly which was really spectacular. I had never focused on listening to flutes before, and the transition from note to note for each was incredibly smooth.

Next was a piece by Henry Purcell, called Fairy Queen: Suite. To my untrained ear, the first movement seemed to primarily feature a clarinet accompanied by selected chorodophones. The rest of the piece featured many chordophones, and from what I could tell they were bassoons and oboes, but I am uncertain. They played in unison beautifully, making it the music lively yet bringing a unique tone to that is unmatched. They came in slowly, but gradually picked up the pace throughout the piece until it climaxed.

The last piece I listened to was by Giovanni Bottesini, called Double Bass Concierto. This piece featured minor aerophones at selected times but for the most part it was dominated by chordophones.