Klarinet Archive - Posting 000352.txt from 1996/03

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re the C clarinet discussion
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 12:18:30 -0500

This morning at 5 am I read the most remarkable posting on the
C clarinet. It was so intemperate, going so far as to state, "Damn
the composer." In effect, it was a statement so full of arrogance
for any position other than the poster's that I decided to have
breakfast, think about my stock portfolio, read the paper, and then
respond when I had put the remark in perspective.

Now it is 8:35 and I have had some time to think about it. I'm
still puzzled about how to respond. Some opinions are sufficiently
outrageous that one sits stunned instead of coming back with a
clever riposte. They are of a "Gracie Allen" nature in their
wonderful outrageous and revealing illogic.

For a performer to state, unequivocally and without reservation, that
the composer has nothing to say about the nature of the sonic palette
on which he or she depends ("I'll play the clarinet that I want to
play no matter what the composer requests." That's not a direct quote
but a paraphrase of what I perceive as the intent of the posting.)
makes my point better than I could ever say it.

I mean no disrespect to the poster. In fact, I don't have the posting
in front of me or remember the name of the poster.

It so astonished me that I erased it, remembering
only the line "Damn the composer." But the overall energy of the
document still lingers with me. I can only classify it with several
that have been posted about playing music of the classic era "in any
way I wish, since I am a modern person, unfettered by the rules of
the past."

I am glad that I remain a member of this board. One sees many, many
wonderful and insightful postings on it. And though I am in total
opposition to it, does not make it any less than a wonderful posting.
In effect I hold it as full of wonder that anyone holds a view about
the performance of music that explicitly articulates the view "Damn the
composer."

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