Klarinet Archive - Posting 000097.txt from 1994/12

From: Jay Heiser <pp001887@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Instrument substitution not a compromise
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 1994 23:08:07 -0500

My apologies, I had probs with my email software and temporarily
switched to another one that isn't completely configured yet.
Everything in ">> >" is my original response meant for the whole
group, but just sent back to Dan personally. Everything in ">"
is Dan's response.

Dan, most clarinet players are not in symphony orchestras, so I
think their opinion carries quite a bit of weight.

Jay Heiser (pp001887@-----.com)

>> >I add that, about 3 months ago, there was a lengthy discussion on
>> >this list having to do with the value of using a C clarinet and,
>> >to my disappointment, there was no conclusive ending to that
>> >discussion. If I may summarize it for people who are new to
>> >the board, the following was argued vigorously:
>> >
>> >Are instrumentalists within their musical rights to arbitrarily
>> >substitute one clarinet for another within a performance? If the
>> >part says clarinet in C, are we compromising our musical integrity
>> >by ignoring the directions and playing the part on our instrument
>> >of choice? (ditto for B-flat to A and vice versa)
>
>Jay, I hope that you posted this interesting reply to the KLARINET
>list as well as to me personally. I am grateful for your remarks
>but I think the whole KLARINET fraternity should read them, too.
>
>Let me also add that it is very helpful if you put your name at the
>end of a note and that avoids a search to find out who sent it.
>Though I very much enjoyed your posting, I do not agree with your
>basic assumption; i.e., that the differences between a C and the
>other members of the clarinet family are too subtle to notice. And
>I also don't really care what anyone outside of the symphony orchestra
>is concerned about with respect to the original intent of the
>composer.
>>
>> I submit that outside of symphony orchestras, nobody is really concerned
>> about the original intent of the arranger as far as instrumentation is
>> concerned. Its nice if you can get the specified instruments, but the
>> differences in tonal quality between a C and Bb clarinet are far too
>> subtle for virtually anyone to notice (aside from a few anecdotes about
>> symphony conductors). A well-played C clarinet could sound far better
>> than a poorly transposed Bb one or a flute played by an inexperienced
>> doubler.
>>
>> Its nice to know that good C clarinets are available. The only ones I've
>> played are pre-war and are pretty awful (some C-melody saxes of that era
>> are supposed to be quite nice, though. Rudy Wiedoft commonly performed on
>> C sax).
>>
>My C clarinet was made by Buffet in 1898 and still plays very well though
>the throat tones are not good.
>
>> Do piccolo players go thru these kind of arguments? I suppose they do.
While
>> never having played flute in a symphony orchestra (just pit orchs), its my
>> guess that use of the Db piccolo is acceptable (compare the band version of
>> "Stars & Strips Forever" to the orchestral arrangement and you'll see why).
>>
>====================================
>Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
>(leeson@-----.edu)
>====================================
>

   
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