Klarinet Archive - Posting 000229.txt from 1996/07

From: Cadenza <Cadenza@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Brahms bashing
Date: Fri, 12 Jul 1996 02:30:46 -0400

I really meant that comment as a positive for Finzi, not a negative for
Brahms. I wish that somebody had commented on the Bagatelles rather than Op.
120. I feel that in Finzi the intermingling of the piano and the clarinet to
be an example of how lovely those two instruments can sound together.
Particularly note the opening section in the 1st movt. (C Major scale
section), the whole of the 2nd movt. (especially the middle section), and the
Carol. The clarinet tone places itself well in these movements. Of course
the style of music is different, there is not the Germanic intensity of
Brahms. The Finzi music is generally more relaxed and a little square so the
naturally cool attributess of the clarinet come off better.

I remember when I first heard the f minor Brahms on viola. It blew me away.
I remember I was performing it at about that time and tried to bring all that
passion, vibrato, etc. to the clarinet and, unfortunately, the clarinet just
can't do it. The clarinet does other things beautifully though which Finzi
highlights. I would think that anybody who has played both would find the
Finzi easier to play. I was fortunate to play a 50 concert tour for CAMI's
Community Concerts and played the f minor sonata on every program. Every time
I played that piece, to the best of my recollection, was slightly different.
Tempi, stress points, you name it. Going into this I thought that I would
find the perfect way of playing it. You know what, I never did. There was
good and bad all the time. But I never remember a time when I've come off the
stage and been upset with the Bagatelles. Just some rambling. Incidentally
I'm a great lover of Brahms.
Best, Cadenza
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From: Klarinet - Clarinettist's Network on behalf of Fogle, Bill
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 1996 10:45 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list KLARINET
Subject: Bashing Brahms (was Re: Finzi Bagatelles)

Mr. Cadenza wrote about the Finzi bagatelles:

>Yes they are geat pieces. I don't think I've ever played music that is so
>well written for the combination of CL and piano. Too bad Brahms didn't
>understand how to balance those instruments.

I'd like to hear more specifically about what you mean re: the Brahms.
I just got Harold Wright/Peter Serkin doing the two sonatas. Although
I believe the music to be almost perfect, I find the two instruments,
when doing these pieces, hard to listen to. Is that what you mean?
The music, the parts, are gorgeous. But I feel like a battle is being
waged. I don't that way about the quintet. Would enjoy hearing
your thoughts. ----Bill Fogle.