I'm playing a Strauss festival this week, and it seems no two sections (or people!) in the orchestra agree on how to play these notes. Talking about the off-beats, not the down beats, though that's a good question too. How long should they be? How are they articulated? Etc.

American style = beats 2 and 3 are directly on the beat

Viennese style = the quarter note written to be on beat 2 should be played a 16th note (1/4 of a beat) early. The last quarter note of the measure remains exactly on beat 3.

Many people find the Viennese style awkward at first but adapt to it very quickly. For me, it was a matter of listening and matching everyone else…..not a matter of concentrating on the subdivisions of the beat.

Another thing is to remember is RELAX. The rhythm can sound very forced by groups that are new to it. In many ways, it’s similar to the exercise that Gabe presented in his “Immediacy of Response” thread. The goal is to make it sound easy and natural.

Is there another player or section in the piece to "set the tone" on this early in the pieces?

Sarah Willis talks to natives... who refer to an American.

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