Klarinet Archive - Posting 000312.txt from 1996/08

From: niethamer@-----.EDU
Subj: Re: Goodman classical commissions
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 1996 21:54:12 -0400

On Fri, 9 Aug 1996, Maureen L. Hurd wrote:

> I am trying to compile a complete list of all the classical pieces that Benny
> Goodman commissioned. I am also working on a complete discography of his
> classical recordings. It would be helpful for me to note, in addition,
> pieces that Goodman championed or were dedicated to him, even if he did not
> commission the works. If anyone has any information, I would be grateful.

In going through my music file, I find a Concerto by Darius Milhaud,
"written for Benny Goodman", and the Hindemith Concerto (which I've
actually played with orchestra), "written for Benny Goodman".

Also, although it doesn't exactly meet the criteria above, BG and Leonard
Bernstein gave the first performance of the Poulenc Sonata in 1963.

Which leads me to a question for the scholars. The dedication of the
Clarinet Sonata (Poulenc) is to Honneger, the Oboe Sonata (from the same
period) to Prokofiev. *But*, on one of the original recordings (Andre
Boutard, on Nonesuch, H-71033), the liner notes by Edward Tatnall Canby
state "The work is full of Prokofiev", and a paragraph citing many quotes
and 'parodies' of Prokofiev follows, including comparisons to the
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1 and the "Overture on Hebrew Themes".

The next paragraph states "The Oboe Sonata, dedicated to Honneger...",
and goes on to describe that work.

I have a copy marked "3rd Edition" published by Chester. One of my
questions is:

Can someone outline the publishing history of this piece (1963 -
present), and comment on the "corrections" found in some more recent
editions?

Question No. 2 is:

Is the dedication in the published edition correct, or is Mr. Canby
correct?

My gut feeling is that Canby is right, and Chester has perpetuated the
error. The clarinet sonata sounds to my ear like Prokofiev (think of the
piano part at the start of the last mvt, to list just one example), and
Honneger was an oboist, so that dedication makes more sense. But I'm just
guessing. Good scholarly evidence will make my day on this one.

There's a good book about Poulenc, "Francis Poulenc: His Artistic
Development and Musical Style", by Keith W. Daniel (1982, UMI Research
Press, Ann Arbor MI, ISBN 0-8357-1909-X, paperback). I met Daniel at a
Poulenc symposium, and all of the above was news to him.

One last item - Canby says "The Clarinet Sonata, written fior Benny
Goodman..."

Hope some of this helps, and that some of the questions receive answers.

David

=====================================
David Niethamer, Internet Liaison
International Clarinet Association
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
niethamer@-----.edu
http://users.aol.com/dbnclar1/
=====================================