Klarinet Archive - Posting 000241.txt from 1996/11

From: Tom Labadorf <Labadorf@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Mozart articulation
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 21:55:28 -0500

I admit to having limited knowledge about the subject of improvisation and
articulation in Mozart's time, so I take this opportunity to ask questions of
Dan who is someone who has.

Dan, in a message dated 11/10/96 12:47:35 AM, you wrote:

>There are two issues involved here, Tom. One of them deals with rapidity
>of articulations, generally during fast passages. The other deals with
>the fact that improvisation is used to alter melody, not surface texture
>of the composition.
>
(snip)

>What speaks against it, however, is the fact that the surface texture
>of music (fast music, that is) from this era was much preferred to
>be rougher than we are used to today.

How do we know this as fact? Treatises? Letters? I remember hearing from
somewhere that articulation in Baroque music was basically slurred or at
least interpreted freely. Markings began to appear only when the composer
had a specific request of the performer in isolated instances. E.g. the
staccato originally indicated that the note to which it was applied was
simply tongued and had no indication for the length of the note. If this is
true (and it could very well not be since I am trusting my memory) then the
question of articulation may have followed a parallel developmental track as
that of embellishments and improvisation.

>My overall reaction is that the question was directed to how Mozart
>wrote his articulations in his scores. And to that question it is
>absolutely the case that he was careful to write what was in his
>mind.

In the case where special articulations were expressly marked I would say
that Mozart wrote what he wanted to hear. Where there are no markings at
all, could this be as open an invitation for performer interpretation as,
say, an eingang?

Any recommended reading on the subject of articulation would be appreciated.

Tom L.
Clarinetist, U. S. Coast Guard Band
Adjunct Instructor, Connecticut College, New London CT
Labadorf@-----.com