Klarinet Archive - Posting 000067.txt from 1995/01

From: "David B. Niethamer" <NIETHAMER@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Re: Re-raising a point
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 23:48:10 -0500

Dan, I'm in awe of anyone whose "little gray cells" still posess the
capability to work after several thousand "Nutcrackers"! We were bitching
only this year about the fact that we've played several hundred in the
past ten years since our second clarinetist joined the section.

I have no answer to your question. But, as of tonight's rehearsal, I have
a new question in the same vein.

At the start of the 4th movement of Shostakovich Sym #1, the Clar 1
switches to Clar in La just to play in unison (alleged!) with the oboe,
then a quick change back to start the chromatic madness solo. The second
clar also switches, and keeps the Clar in La *through* the beginning of
the chromatic madness, so that the two clarinets are dovetailing the solo
(duo) parts on two different clarinets, B and A.

Anyone have any thoughts? I've always just kept the Bb at the beginning
of the mvt, so I stand a chance of playing in tune with our fine oboist.
Aside from fidelity to the composer's choice, is there any reason to make
the switch?

David Niethamer