UMich Symphony Band - Richard Wagner - Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral (1850)

University of Michigan Symphony Band
Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral (1850)
Richard Wagner, transcribed by Lucien Cailliet
Michael Haithcock, conductor
February 5, 2016
Hill Auditorium
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
recorded and filmed by Dave Schall
(www.daveschallacoustic.com)

[@pennyp7382]

I haven't played this song in years. I can almost still see the 😂neverending crescendo 😂😂❤

[@jesse6301]

I played this in high school - one of my all-time favorites!

[@darkwriter_xx94]

Same here!

[@tomcline5631]

Yep! 30some years ago. One of my favorites too. Wagner appreciated the french horn

[@citlalyflorestorres121]

I played this in 7th grade it was really tough since it was barely my 5th year of playing my clarinet but the band did amazing it was my favorite piece I have ever played 💙

[@maxinemajor2882]

We marched to this when I was in high school with our military marching band. It was a show stopper. Such an emotional piece of music. Brings a tear to my eye, still!

[@bbssssssssssssssssss]

Why?

[@jamesvanover5477]

The single most beautiful and stirring piece of music I have ever heard or played. Listening to this, I feel like I'm on that final trip to enter the gates of Heaven.

[@n2music174]

Love those French Horns !!! Beautiful harmonies !!

[@skeets6060]

The girls that played the French horns were the best kissers ,,,, ever !!!!

[@danawinsor1380]

This performance is as good as it gets. Bravo UMich Symphony Band!

[@johnnyjohns5059]

When I was in the MS State Symphonic Band in the early seventies we were invited to play for the National Collegiate Band Directors Association meeting at LSU we did this number and it was one of those times when everything was perfect! Such a great feeling of perfection!

[@andrewnance2156]

Nobody cried?

[@codywright2840]

Damn this piece is something special. This band is too for playing it that well. I am ecstatic to have the privilege of playing this in my high school's wind ensemble! The concert we play this at is going to be one for the ages

[@michaelolmoz225]

err jordans go away.

[@pennyp7382]

❤🎉🎶 🎵 As a bassoonist who played this in high school...I am so happy to see you younger players appreciating this. 👏 😂 Well in Wagners time me at 41 is a non existence. 😂❤ 🎉Hug yourself. You're worth it.

[@danedwards3950]

This is absolutely amazing. Tuning, balance, phrasing, commitment, correct Tempo, full breathing. Bravo from an old british pro!

[@RoberttAvro]

On a California tour with the University of British Columbia Wind Symphony under director Martin Berinbaum back in the mid 70's, we had a bus poll one day, which was our favorite tour piece, and Elsa's Procession was the winner. I still remember that. And as a trombone player, I gotta tell you, it was an easy decision. Those powerful chromatic melodies, the slow and majestic buildup to the great brass finale, and just the general musical craftsmanship. Truly a masterpiece.

[@owenhochwald506]

okay

[@jamesvanover5477]

I too played it as a trombonist. At the finally I felt that the trombones announced that the ultimate everything had been reached.

[@pennyp7382]

Wagner as a bassoonists is one of my favorites. He really used instruments to make a new kind of hauntingly beautiful music.

[@thefruitofpassion6304]

I remember when I went to band camp my jr year we got to play this song and they had a huge pipe organ that they played on instead of a harp and boy did that sound amazing. I considered to be the most beautiful piece of music I knew at the time, and still on of the top. The goosbumps of being right in the middle of that sound was one of the greatest feelings I've had. What I'd give to go back and do that again.

[@turnersugg]

Do you happen to have a recording of it? I would love to hear the organ

[@wimbusbert1249]

Dang, this video has great resolution for being recorded in 1850! Colorized, too!

[@ColonelMarcellus]

I'm glad to see several bassoons in this ensemble.

[@JanVrehen1]

A very correct interpretation of this beautiful masterpiece. Big compliment to everyone for measuring the musical intention so preciese and choosing the only right tempo that fits! I am thruely impressed!

[@nickwilkinsmusic]

one of the finest pieces of music ever composed

[@stefanopiovani1919]

Congrats! Very high level of music, I feel your energy!

[@michaelolmoz225]

err jordans go away.

[@equisader]

Good lord i haven't heard this in 35 years since school orchestra days. As beautiful as ever. Thank you ❤️

[@macpretzelmc3599]

Every march my High school's bands get to perform in Hill auditorium for one concert, our freshman band, 2 separate concert bands, and our highest level band, symphony band. the acoustics there are unlike anything i had ever experienced when i first went there as a freshman. Every year in may at our symphony band's last performance the symphony band gets to perform this piece as a sort of send off for all the seniors of that year. every year it has left me in tears, especially the last 2 years when i've played it personally. i've never heard it played in hill but it's on my bucket list without a doubt, especially seeing as just this video managed to bring me to shed a few tears.

[@phazed3156]

Sounds like your school does exactly the same as the school I'm currently a band member in, Belleville High. Hill Auditorium has acoustics that are unparalleled.

[@ericanthonyjones2131]

Pioneer High 1967-1970, Baritone Saxophone for me -- the recurring event you mention -- we did excerpts from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana (O Fortuna, Venit Luna...)

[@evandytyniak3258]

I am also a member of the Belleville High School symphony band. Words can't say how sad I am to not have been able to play at Hill Auditorium this year or even have one last concert as a Senior. We always play Elsa's Procession as our ending piece at our last concert.

[@cavalierfan2008]

Contrabass clarinet!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOO

[@jakemf1]

Goosebumps!!!!!!

[@bqpahdoesstuff5123]

I am a trumpet player, and this piece is in somehow different keys, all of which are played beautifully.

[@titonerves6737]

Oooohhh... beautiful version !!! the saxophones bring so much to this almost "silky" atmosphere... when you know more about the whole story, this piece doesn't give a clue to the nasty action that will soon follow. The calm before the (mean) storm !!!

[@rocioaguilera3613]

The stupendous Herr Richard. Thanks

[@jrdroptini]

Beautiful!

[@jomarluke]

I played this at Arizona all state band in 1999, the day of prom. Needless to say, prom couldn't compare to this concert. And yes, as a tuba player, I took shit DOWN.

[@kdkeydude1]

Superb ! Bravo !!

[@itzbloolive5100]

part three of our marching show is based off of this!! it’s so pretty i love it so much

[@paul-zx5du]

Gorgeous. All is right with the world.

[@Glamdotzan]

yassssssssss beautiful piccolo!!!!!

[@lylereinhard8652]

Excellent!!

[@arickquinton1268]

It's a great piece. Probably my favorite.

[@thedadda]

Absolutely amazing performance. Thank you for sharing.

[@gk-qs5ri]

Proud of my Alma Mater. That is about as good as any top professional orchestra could play.

[@donalddodson7365]

Marvelous to control these lagato pieces with seamless phrasing and focused attention to precision. Thank you.

[@cynyalater]

Wonderful job!!!!!!!! Reminds me of my flute days in high school 🥹

[@FrankLehmann-qd3ki]

Elsas Zug zum Münster ist eine der genialsten Musiken aller Zeiten... :)

[@Esteban-yr8hm]

This piece definitely grew on me

[@jonathanmacpac]

Excellent acoustics at Hill.

[@justacasual7927]

I don't play any instruments but I love this piece...

[@josuepedrozobaptista8806]

Muy bueno. Som extraordinário!!!

[@HyunjinnieFerret]

This is the reason my dad chose to give me my name. Maybe I’ll play it at my wedding some day, just for him

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This performance is unrivaled by any other performances

[@StocksIn60Seconds]

Baylor…WAY better.

[@StocksIn60Seconds]

You have no idea how much better Baylor is. The ending is the best I’ve ever heard.

[@StocksIn60Seconds]

This is the most clinical interpretation I’ve heard of this piece. This piece should be banned from being played so goddamn straight.

[@arickquinton1268]

When first chair players are assembled from the entire state.

[@xaviercross3285]

The phantom regiment played this piece. If you liked this you might want to check it out.

[@BonnieBunny53]

I love the near constant presence of the Oboe as a crucial-and, more importantly, **heard**-part of the melody/song! My school's band is playing this this year/quarter(?) and I am-unfortunately-the sole Oboist of my band level. There is only one other Oboist in the school, but-since they are a freshman-they are in the lowest of the three bands of the school.

[@KBMOORE98]

Was that an extra suspended cymbal crash in the next to last measure? Seemed random. Good performance.

[@alternatemusicaddict5226]

3:12 look at this dude tuning the timpani lol

[@uhh3457]

lol

[@french7515]

lol

[@band_nerd]

5:23 the double bassist’s smile 😁

[@adrianwilson7193]

And the tubas.

[@jeromemourat2592]

WOW!!

[@amanthatlikesfromsoftware]

5:49

[@benjaminlogan9432]

I played this for drum corp

[@sgsmozart]

Excellent performance. ..however. .Dr. Revelli's stretched out final crescendo is better.

[@joeheid2776]

Revelli was on a different level. Still the best ever

[@ericanthonyjones2131]

Dr Revelli came over to Pioneer High (1969) to conduct our band (under our beloved Victor Bordo) in Prelude and Leibestod. Great memory

[@fredoguzman]

Listen to the U of M Russian tour 1961 tape, then get back to me.

[@nathanspergel8842]

3:21-4:57

[@StocksIn60Seconds]

Look up the ending of Baylor’s performance of this. Miles ahead of U of M.

[@tantricsurfer]

sssh... just play

[@pigeon4422]

as a high school percussionist I despise this piece

[@lukealadeen7836]

Lol why? 😂

[@jamesvanover5477]

Never pass an opportunity to become a musician rather than just a percussionist.

[@StocksIn60Seconds]

This piece should be banned from being performed with such a clinical interpretation.

[@peelbewoner]

grandioso

[@therustydusters]

4:41

[@asmundpinas3192]

The Contrabass clarinet, could go an lower

[@poopoopants7904]

I need help with the trumpet part it seems wrong to play in this piece my concert is in Two weeks any advice fellow trumpet players??

[@ashem0150]

Just be very soft with your articulations! be very dramatic with your dynamics and play confidently with a great tone, you'll do great! :)

[@luisvillanueva6714]

Air

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

It's a bit late now, but... switch to tenor sax (it's what I did)

[@zachc9532]

@@silaskuemmerle2505i did the opposite, T sax to trumpet

[@jamesvanover5477]

@@silaskuemmerle2505 If you switch to anything, make it trombone. Then you get to announce the total glory of this piece.