Klarinet Archive - Posting 000214.txt from 1994/07

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Andrea doing the Mozart bassoon concerto
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 1994 23:27:59 -0400

Andrea, I am going to rain on your parade. The Mozart bassoon concerto
is not a good choice for the b.c. While on the surface it sounds
reasonable because of the fact that both are bass instruments, that just
about ends and similarities. Everything else constitute significant
differences. For example, the bassoon is an instrument on which large,
slurred intervals are not only practical, but relatively easily accomplished.

The bass clarinet is not adept in this arena.

Of particular importance is the b.c. difficulty in large leaps downward.
While upward leaps are no pleasure, downward leaps are nigh impossible
with anything approaching elegance.

There is little technically that cannot be accomplished in terms of
rapidity of moving lines, but I have the feeling that what comes out
light and graceful on the bassoon, is going to be heavy and awkward
on the b.c.

I would ask that you consider the Burrell Phillips bassoon solo
which has none of those characteristics for which the b.c. would be
a poor choice. I don't remember the title but how many Burrell Phillipses
are there?

Interestingly, the bassoon concerto was recorded with great style
by Stolzman on the soprano clarinet and it worked beautifully, but
that is because the soprano clarinet has few of the difficulties
of the b.c. with respect to large leaps.

Forgive me for raining on your parade, but you asked.

dan

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
====================================