Klarinet Archive - Posting 000088.txt from 1996/09

From: Elizabeth Lim <ejlim@-----.AU>
Subj: Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 08:15:52 -0400

Jacqueline Eastwood wrote:
>
> OK, you guys, I have need of your vast experiences here!
>
> It is highly possible that I will be asked to play the Eb part on the
> Berlioz for the next University Orchestra concert. There are a couple of
> problems with this -- let me explain. First of all, I am no longer a
> student here -- I'm DMA ABD, which means I have to write this big huge
> long paper and then I'm done. I am, however, a staff member in the
> School of Music, Accounting Specialist, to be exact. I also work
> full-time, which means taking time off for rehearsals.
>
> I was principal in the University Orchestra for roughly 5 years, give or
> take the odd concert where someone rotated in. We did Symphonie
> Fantastique probably 4 years ago. It was the first Eb solo I played in
> an orchestral setting. I clearly remember the bassoons dragging the hell
> out of their part while I'm trying to trill the way I had practiced it!
>
> My main concern is that I don't want to sit for an hour and then have to
> play a cold horn with no warming up and a very sharp student orchestra.
> I really need some concrete stories of how this is usually handled in
> "the real world".
>
> When I played it before, I played both principal and
> Eb, which worked perfectly since that's how the part is printed-- both in
> the same part for one player. The second player simply stays on the second
> part throughout. Of course, when negotiating this deal, I can't really
> just come out and say, "Oh yes, but I have to play principal as well".
> I've had my turn and there are other graduate students here now -- just
> not any who play Eb. What about going with the second part until the
> fifth movement? Is that ever done?
>
> BTW, I'm probably not getting paid for this. It's really difficult to
> pay employees for performing via the University system. I'd be doing
> this out of the goodness of my heart. (Yeah, right -- Dan P. knows, I'm a
> typical hotshot Eb player, living for the thrill!)
>
> If any of you have any advice, suggestions, or stories to share, please
> respond. I don't really know when I will be approached about this, but
> the first concert is September 30, I believe, and the conductor will want
> to have everything set to go by then. (If this helps, he's new this year
> and only knows of my playing by reputation -- I think.)
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jacqueline

I've never heard anyone combining the 2nd and Eb parts in this situation
(it is normally the principal that takes on the Eb part as you
mentioned). However, one idea on keeping your instrument warm could be
to stuff your cleaning rag up the bell and finger low E whilst blowing
into the instrument. In this way the note itself won't speak but be
careful to only finger low E!
--
--
Elizabeth Lim
http://www.usyd.edu.au/~ejlim/