Klarinet Archive - Posting 000834.txt from 1996/02

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: clarinet tone in orchestras
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 19:02:37 -0500

I've tried to get some response on the orchestra conductors list on
clarinet tone color (maybe we should substitute other words for bright and
dark?). I've talked to some orchestra players and they feel that a dark
sound can have problems projecting through the orchestra and reaching the
back of the hall. They build into their sound a slight shimmer (not to use
the word bright) in order to gain projection. 10 feet from the performer
this brightness is not noticable.
There was an interesting posting on the orch. list on Steve Girko's
sound. Someone felt that it is on the bright side when hear up close (in
recital) but in the orchestra you don't percieve this brightness.
It's interesting listening to strings, especially virtuoso violins.
Some have sounds that would cut steel (we're talking laser!!) but these
players are recognized as top musicians. Are we as clarinetists too
obsessed with darkness? Everyone wants to sound like Wright or Leister but
I don't hear many people say they want to play (phrase) like Wright or
Leister. I think we're examining one leaf and sometimes missing the beauty
of the whole tree (or forest for that matter!).

Flame On!! (by the way, that's from the comic "Fantastic Four")

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
dap@-----.us

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