Klarinet Archive - Posting 000254.txt from 1997/01
From: thehat@-----.org Subj: Re: How much opinion vs h Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 18:20:38 -0500
In a message dated 01-19-97 INTERNET: fgarcia@-----.U wrote to ** ALL **:
If> Thus, Brahms Third Symphony as we know it is slightly changed from
If> Brahms "vision" of the piece because the sound quality of our
If> instrument has (probably) changed. So what gives us the right to
If> change it any more? If you can't keep 2 clarinets warm for 2 minutes,
If> .....
The point is not keeping an instrument warm. It is a question of a change
that happens very quickly between exposed passages. I wouldn't change horns
in less than 10 seconds if I could help it, that's for sure. Not being able
to play will certainly be more damaging too poor, dead Brahms than a few bars
of transposition.
In a major orchestra, the assistant will play for the principal for a few
bars while the change occurs. Is this not a violation of the "no tone color
change of any kind" policy?
Brahms was also very specific about preferring natural horn in ALL of his
compositions (including the trio), and he wrote the parts to suit this
preference. This is never practiced now. I won't assume the reason, but it
should be fairly obvious.
It is possible that Muhlfeld played with two mouthpieces, and was thus able
to change horns very quickly. Anecdotal reports suggest that he used the b-
flat clarinet for a few bars in Mvt. 2 of the clarinet quintet, in order to
facilitate some difficult passages. This sort of thing has been going on for
ages. I don't lose any sleep over transposing passages. If you do, the
solution is obvious. Don't blame me, though, when a quick change gets you in
trouble.
David Hattner
Clarinetist-at-large, NYC
-> Alice4Mac 2.5d3 E QWK Eval:04Feb96
Origin: Hat's Nut House
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