Klarinet Archive - Posting 000386.txt from 1995/01

From: Josias Associates <josassoc@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: RE>British clarinetists
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 1995 19:43:35 -0500

On Tue, 24 Jan 1995, Donald Oehler wrote:

> I, too, took in a breath or two after Neil's message. As a Jack Brymer
> student I learned much more about what American playing was all about
> than what the British were doing. When I have the time I would like to
> go into this more for I have a feeling we may be dealing with some
> provincial thinking.
>
> Don Oehler

Many years ago, after expressing an opinion in extreme terms
about the playing style of a certain prominent player, I was gently
advised by my teacher, whose style I admired and attempted to emulate,
that, style differences notwithstanding, one was likely to get more out
of music by looking for positive aspects of performances.

In keeping with that approach, I have numerous positive
things to say about British clarinetists. Some of Jack Brymer's
performances have an ineffable charm and beauty that would be difficult
to reproduce with another playing style. One example (which I presume has
Brymer on Principal Clarinet) is Beecham's recording of Goldmark's
"Rustic Wedding Symphony" with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Another example of fine clarinet work (Brymer again, maybe???)
and with the same orchestra, but conducted by Malcolm Sargent, is the
recording of Dohnanyi's Suite in F# Minor.

I feel indebted to Thea King for having introduced me to new
works and for having recorded other works seldom heard in recorded form.
To me, it is less important that she plays stylistically differently from
the model I was taught, and more important that she records important
works and plays them competently.

Some of her works that I value are the clarinet quintets by
Arthur Somervelle and Gordon Jacob (both of which I played after hearing
her recordings). Other noteworthy works of hers are the Bruch "Concerto
for Clarinet and Viola" and the two concertpieces by Mendelssohn.

Again putting aside stylistic or sound-quality differences, I
value highly the outstanding collection of clarinet/piano solos
recorded by Colin Bradbury.

Connie

Conrad Josias
La Canada, California