Klarinet Archive - Posting 000206.txt from 1996/04

From: Nate Burk <nathan@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Why Mozart
Date: Mon, 8 Apr 1996 20:01:47 -0400

> I was practically laughed out of
>a Gigliotti masterclass about 15 years for NOT using the
>"Baermannized" version of the first movement. Why do we turn all
>shades of red/blue, however, when even the smallest changes are made
>to the Mozart?

I think a lot more research has gone into the so-called "right" way of
playing Mozart than many other composers. The Mozart Concerto is practically
a fundamental of clarinet repertoire, and the piece and its composer have
been the subject of many articles and books. Since so many of us are
familiar with the piece, it's easy to feel like one's own interpretation is
the correct and only way to play it. That's simply not true, and no one
should feel like they've done something wrong if they play something
differently than what's generally accepted as being correct.

But why not the other great composers as well? This is just a random
thought, but I think because Mozart defined the Classical period (in
general), by a strict structure to his music, we tend to allow less leeway
in interpreting the music. (Again, just a random thought...)

About the "Baermannized" version of the Weber Cto, though, I don't think
anyone can really call Baermann's performances of Weber's works "versions"
or "interpretations." Weber wrote those pieces specifically for that
clarinetist, and *expected* him to play around with them. It's no surprise
that the way Baermann performed the music has become the generally accepted
way. I, for one, don't consider Baermann's work interpretation -- I think of
it as general guidelines!! Of course, this is just my opinion; I'm certainly
no authority on music history!

--Nate

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