Klarinet Archive - Posting 000310.txt from 1994/10

From: Ed Wojtowicz <EWOJ@-----.COM>
Subj: more yet
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 22:35:10 -0400

I will try to be brief, and apologize to all for any redundancy.
I only wish to clarify some statements. In regard to my statement regarding
Harold Wright's opinion on ligatures- I don't mean that his opinion should be
accepted unequivocally, but instead that maybe he was able to detect
subtleties that not everyone may be aware of. The same could apply to
differences in timbre, or playing style.

I do not not have any problem with differences in opinion, but only wish to
clarify that it may be difficult for some to verbalize the nuances in various
styles of playing. I would like to refer anyone interested to David Pino's
book and his observations on national styles, as it may help to clarify the
point somewhat. Although I do realize that some may feel that some of the
opinions are merely stereotypes. Jack Brymer also make some interesting
points in his book.

As I previously mentioned, there may be any number of factors
present-prevailing taste, equipment, teaching, folk influences, etc. I will
not attempt to determine why or how this may affect the individual players,
but that any of these (and more) may be a factor to varying degrees.

I do know that I feel that I can detect differences, in timbre, style,
articulation, etc. For one example- about two years ago- I was listening to a
broadcast on a local classical station, with no prior information, heard a
live broadcast of the Mozart Concerto, and wondered aloud to a friend-"It's a
German player, I wonder if it could maybe be Sabine Meyer?" It turns out that
it indeed was. I had no information, and had not been familiar with Sabine's
playing at that time. I did detect some nuance that made me unquestionably
feel that the the player was indeed German. (Mostly tone quality and style).
Because it was not a commercial recording, I was not familiar with it, and
had no possible way of knowing if it was a local, NYC, USA, or other player.

This anecdote is not to meant as a boast, but as some support of the point.
Since the recording was of unknown origin, if I was only guessing, "I should
have such luck!" If that were the case, I would go to Las Vegas and give up
the day job!!! I will admit to having spent many, many hours listening to
recordings.

I hope not to clutter up the board, but merely to clarify my opinion.