Klarinet Archive - Posting 000083.txt from 1994/04

From: Kory Vrieze <KVRIEZE@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Verdi
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 01:21:07 -0400

I was not aware that my original Verdi question would be so debated.
I'm glad that I got the chance to hear the different opinions about this
work. I've never performed it, just used it to increase technicality,
something a little different than an etude. My teacher did say that it made
an excellent encore piece.

I have a few questions and comments for you, Dan. I agree that most
musically trained people would find the piece harmonically boring (if
that were the only thing to listen for) but I disagree that the general
public would find it boring for this reason. Pop/rock music is very popular
with no more than I and V chords with a tricky chromatic modulation. Even
hymns are not harmonically interesting but popular.

Did this kind of virtuosic playing die out because the public didn'y like
it? Here in Vermillion, the Shrine to Music Museum has a "Golden Age
of Bands" performance with music and instruments from the turn of the
century. It is one of the most popular events of the summer. I don't
know if it is nostalgia or pure enjoyment.

Clarinet players did have virtuosic parts in that era. The Eb had a pretty
prominant place and there are recordings of clarinet soloists, though
I agree that there are none that are famous from that time. Your metal
clarinet from Reno would probably be good for this.

You make the statement that the world became more sophisticated as a
reason for the decline in popularity of this music. Dr. Kenneth
Fischer, saxophone teacher from University of Georgia, played with
the University of South Dakota Symphonic Band. He played the Bilick(sp?)
sonatina. He played wonderfully but I was not excited by the piece. There
were a lot of notes and it reminds me of your statement of service to the
performer. Have we really come that far or become so much more sophisticated?
This Verdi has more music in it than this piece does.

I will be on the lookout for the recordings mentioned. Thanks a lot for
all the opinions. I will take another look at this piece and reevaluate
my thinking.

Kory Vrieze
University of South Dakota