Klarinet Archive - Posting 000048.txt from 1994/11

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Nat. schools, parts 1 and 2
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 1994 08:22:13 -0500

Lorne Buck put two notes on the list having to do with national character
in clarinet playing. They were really terrific and well thought out. I
have a whole bunch of comments but I prefer to wait until the results of
the test with Jim Freeman come in. Then I will either put my tail between
my legs or come roaring back snarling.

But one point it worth noting now. Lorne pointed out that German trade ads
for clarinet players would often say "No Boehm Players" or something to
that affect. But if the Germans were advertising for police, or waiters,
or firemen, or even wine tasters, the same admonition would apply. There
is a significant cultural gap between the French and the Germans that they
have avoided each other's cultural benefits for centuries.

It has long been suggested that a great mistake was made placing the Germans
on one side of the Rhine and the French on the other, since no two cultures
are as incompatible as those two. My wife and I often spend time in and
around Strassbourg, the heart of French Alsace and the gateway to Baden in
Western Germany. Despite the fact that everyone there speaks both French
and German, the cultural disassimilation is obvious and impacts much of
their daily lives.

So I wouldn't take "No Boehm Players" too seriously. It has as much logic
as "No foreign workers" which is a current theme in German politics. Germany
is just a very nationalistic country. They believe that they do things the
best way (and maybe they do). The British used to think that way in the
late 1800s and their colonial policy to India, Australia, etc. was based on
that view. The Japanese do it today. We can't get them to buy cheaper
American rice. It is practically impossible to get Brazil to import
anything.

But I shall have a lot more to say in about two weeks.

However, I loved the two pieces you did and I congratulate you for your
thoughtful approach to the entire problem. Yours is the first effort to
try and evaluate the matter objectively and thoughtfully. Many, though
not all, of the many responses on this subject were shot from the hip.
Yours was not.

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