Klarinet Archive - Posting 000318.txt from 1995/12

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Handel's Messiah
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 1995 21:29:53 -0500

With respect to clarinet parts in the Handel's Messiah, I should add
that during the late 1800s and the first quarter of this century, the
Handel orchestration was not considered bold enough and needed to be
improved. The leader of those who wanted it improved was Sir Thomas
Beecham who always did an edition of the work by Coopersmith (first
name not known). It was like playing Wozzeck so big was the orchestra.
There were 4 horns, tuba, trombones, a BIG percussion section, and three
clarinets (including bass). It was a style that did not last and may
be likened to the 1930s when Stokowsky was doing Bach with monster
orchestras such as in the film "Fantasia" where he did a number on
the Toccata and Fugue in d that is outrageous (and wonderful fun
to play). But that is the way Mozart was done when I was a kid.
I saw the NY Phil. do a Mozart symphony under Bruno Walter about 1943
that had a doubled woodwind section. Today one does that kind of thing
only at the peril of their life.

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Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
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