Klarinet Archive - Posting 000328.txt from 1994/11

From: Christopher Zello <en444@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: more on new music
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1994 20:01:41 -0500

I stand correct on my assumptions based on what young people are
able to grasp. I have actually taught some of these young
students who are able to pick everything up. And yes, I now
agree that is young players are introduced to mixed meter,
fluttertongueing, circular breathing, etc., then they will
learn how to do these things.

But I simply am in the dark about whether or not, orchestras
are still in, and should they program contemporary pieces. It
do see that there is a lot of interest in opera. And even
the chamber music scene has a lot of possabilities. You just
really have to be motivated and find a speciality.

But my new question is--
it is better to focus on a few areas (i.e. orchestral and chamber
music playing), or be a "master of none" just doing as much as
you can?

Maybe the "band scene" is something related to your geographical
location? To our friends over in the Far East, Bands have
taken off quite well over there, haven't they? I see plenty
of new CDs put out by bands in Japan. These groups sound
great--such control and unity. And if they weren't popular in
Japan, would they risk marketing a product world-wide if
they felt there wasn't a market for this product? I don't
think so. They must feel there is a market for this. But
to some extent, isn't a concert band merely and extension of
a wind ensemble, which is merely an extension of smaller
chamber ensembles (quartets, quintets, octets)? Why do
chamber music series sell to the public, and not band
concerts? Is it the quality of the compositions?

I really don't think the appeal to opera is that it is
so high-brow. The majority of operas being performed are
19th century works (Boheme, Carmen, Traviata are all big
sellers, as are others). But I will say that the public
gets their money's worth out of the costumes, staging, and
knows at least one tune on the opera which they can hum
along with. Plus a lot of the plots are things they can
relate to. Some are sheer suspension of reality; again,
which some audiences love.

I really don't feel I have said anything. Sorry to waste time.

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