Klarinet Archive - Posting 000243.txt from 1997/01

From: Frank Garcia <fgarcia@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: How much opinion vs how much fact
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 10:01:17 -0500

Hi everyone,

I'm tending to agree with Dan on this one. I believe Brahms knew exactly
what he was doing in writing Bb and A clarinet parts throughout the 3rd
Symphony. I would think that an A clarinet from the late 1800's would have
a different and noticable sound quality than a Bb from the same period. I
am sure Brahms finally made the decision based on his own judgement. Even
if he didn't, who are we to make that decision?

As for the differences between modern instruments and antique instruments.
The clarinet has gone through many changes over the past 240 years or so.
Most of these changes were to make the instrument sound better and easier
to play. This evolution has undoubtably made our instrument different than
clarinets from Muhlfeld's time. This statement is made based on assumption
of course since I have never played a Muhlfeld clarinet or any other
professional level clarinet from that period. But if we take a look at much
of the talk amongst ourselves, we frequently find postings like "Which
clarinet do you like better"? Or, "Does it sound better than the so and so
brand"? Etc. It is this talk, this desire to have a "better" or "more in
tune" instrument for the past 100 years that causes me to believe that
those old clarinets blew a noticably different sound than my Yamahas.

Thus, Brahms Third Symphony as we know it is slightly changed from Brahms
"vision" of the piece because the sound quality of our instrument has
(probably) changed. So what gives us the right to change it any more? If
you can't keep 2 clarinets warm for 2 minutes, .....

There are other excerpts that are suggested to be transposed that I find
unnecessary. One that comes to mind is the long and fluid solo in the third
movement of Shostakovich 5. It has been suggested to me several times
throughout my career to play this solo on the Bb. I would ask myself...why?
I can easily go over that register break and back down, softly and
smoothly. There is no risk or doubt as to my ability to play this solo on
the correct instrument. It may be a little easier on the Bb, but why should
I change it? I shouldn't, because Shostakovich wanted an A clarinet and not
a Bb clarinet.

Sometimes we are unable to play on the correct instrument. I don't have a C
clarinet (yet). So, I must transpose because I lack that instrument. But I
do have an A and Bb so I'll do as Brahms and Shostakovich wanted.

Finally, my feeling on this matter is this; although some of us may not
believe that it is a "big deal" to play an A clarinet part on Bb (or vise
versa), Brahms and Shostakovich felt strongly enough to choose specific
instruments at specific moments in their music. We are merely interpreters
of other people's music. We should repect the intentions of composers.
There's my 2 cents.

Frank Garcia