Klarinet Archive - Posting 000638.txt from 1995/03

From: Andrew Grenci <AGrenci@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Accompanists
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 1995 17:39:35 -0500

Chris (and Fred)

I fully agree with Fred's answer to the question of payment for accompanists.
Pianists certainly deserve full appropriate payment for professional
services, as we all do!

On the other hand, you may find a pianist who is willing to enter into an
artistic/business arrangement with you. You can work on repertoire together
without paying one another for rehearsal time, then actively seek recital
venues with payment to be divided between you. It would seem right to bill
yourselves as a "duo" rather than "clarinetist with accompanist" in this
case. I know people who successfully work together in this way. (I've even
heard of a clarinetist playing a competition and offering half of possible
winnings in payment. This seems like a bit of a stretch to me.) In any case,
you probably should have at least one "gig" lined of before approaching a
professional pianist with such an offer. At the very least have a few leads.
Of course, all should be done in good faith, not simply with the hope of
getting free demo tape.

Andy

Andrew Grenci
agrenci@-----.com