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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000069.txt from 2003/04

From: BSP6263@-----.com
Subj: Re: [DR-L] NY Times/Iraqui Oboe
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2003 23:56:06 -0400

Friends,

I want to address the discussion about the sound of the zorna. David
described it as "raucus", and refered to the reed as "primitive". Grace said
the sound would "peel paint off the walls"

To both of you I will say. "Probably true, but only when *you* play it".
These instruments and their reeds have exquisite, subtle, highly nuanced
sounds, and enormous dynamic and expressive range, when played by a master.
Their musics are ancient as well as modern, classical as well as folk. As you
all know, exactly the same is true of the European oboe.

Please do not assume that becuse you play the oboe, that you know anything
about the subtleties of how to play ethnic double reeds.

I suggest you purchase some recordings of master musicians playing zorna,
shahnai, deduk, ghraita, or any of probably 30 different varieties of these
actively performed instruments. Players I recommend are Shamirzah Moradi,
Bizmillah Khan, Dgivan Gasparian. There are many others. (Just as there are
many great master oboists)

Brenda Schuman-Post