Klarinet Archive - Posting 000112.txt from 1996/09

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 19:21:50 -0400

Jacqueline,
When I played the first/eefer part I was more worried about the
reed being dry than about tuning. I mean, my horn is always a little
sharp anyway so I just tuned it as if it was cold before putting it on
its peg to wait for the 5th mvt. and voila! However, if yours is
chronically flat, get a shorter barrel. Come to think of it, tho, a
little out-of-tuneness would probably HELP it to sound even more
diabolical than normal (is this possible?) so I really wouldn't worry
unless you think you'll be going waaaayyyy flat.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Wed, 11 Sep 1996, 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
>