Klarinet Archive - Posting 000374.txt from 1995/11

From: niethamer@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: Soprano, clarinet and piano music
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 1995 00:16:45 -0500

On Mon, 20 Nov 1995, Thomas Labadorf wrote:

> _Four Fragments from Cantebury Tales_ by Lester Trimble for mezzo soprano,
> clarinet and piano or harpsichord.

The correct instrumentation is singah (I think soprano, but it isn't a
high part) **flute**, clarinet, and harpsichord (or piano). Trimble
conceived the part for harpsichord, but I'm sure his publisher (C.F.
Peters) convinced him to make it either/or.

> They are quite nice. The text is from Chaucer's Cantebury Tales, and it is
> in the original old English - which presents quite a challenge to the
> soprano. Explanatory notes on pronunciation are included in the preface.

Yes indeed, they are. The four mvts are Prologe, A Knyght, A Yong Squier,
and The Wyf of Biside Bathe. I had the pleasure to rehearse this for
Trimble, and he was quite particular about the old English pronunciation.
The characterizations of the various characters are quite vivid and
wonderful.

> The keyboard part really should be played on harpsichord even though piano
> is listed. My accompanist tells me the part seemed to be conceived
> originally for harpsichord.

yes - see above.

This is a piece well worth exploring IMHO.

David Niethamer