Klarinet Archive - Posting 000503.txt from 1995/09

From: Lou Polcari <polcari@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Debussy Rhapsody ... on an A????
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 08:33:00 -0400

On Sat, 23 Sep 1995, Jay Winick <winickj@-----.COM> wrote:
>I recently heard that there are performers who use their "A" and transpose
>the whole thing up a tone. I understand that it makes certain passages
>easier (e.g. scherzando), but is not the nature of the piece being affected.
>
>Obviously it was written for the Bb, and certain notes have certain colours.
>Granted I am being picky but to turn the opening phrase from that mysterioso
>G-Bb-C into a very easy to play and homogenous A-C-D to me is disturbing.
>
>Opinions?

Hi Jay;

I agree with you. IMO the instrument the composer selects is important.
I think just how well the Stravinsly's "Three Pieces" is written for clarinet.
The first two Mvts for A then the last for the Bb. It is Obvious to me that
the composer had a very strong understanding of the voices of the two
instruments. If we go about changing the what the composer had intended we give
no respect to that composer. I would like to think that composers of the last
say 175 years know what clarinet they are writing for.

The Question is where does it stop? Do we play the Brahms op 120 #1
sonata on the A clarinet to get rid of the nasty throat tones? Maybe this is
just picky. For this clarinetist, I will always play what the composer wants and
deal with the problems as the come. Interesting question Jay.

Lou Polcari

polcari@-----.com