Klarinet Archive - Posting 000779.txt from 1997/02

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Question about Dvorak #9
Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 11:12:24 -0500

>Earlier this evening, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra performed the
>"New World" Symphony of Dvorak. (I am principal bassoon.) However, I
>have a question about the clarinet part.
>
>There is a place in the 3rd movement, the Scherzo, specifically in the 2nd
>Trio, where there are 8 measures during which the strings and higher
>woodwinds alternate playing trills of one measure each. However, in the
>last two measures which the woodwinds play, the clarinets are not marked
>trill, but rather have a slash across the stem of the note, and a "6,"
>apparently indicating an articulated sextuplet. The tempo is too fast to
>allow this many notes to be articulated in the time indicated. What is
>intended here? How is it usually performed?
>
>I speculate that this is likely the result of a careless error in copying.
>Our clarinet players can articulate quite fast, but could not play that
>many notes in the indicated time, but even if they could, I think it would
>be too apparent that their indication was different from everyone else in
>the orchestra who is playing at that time. Any solutions?
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Ed Lacy
>*****************************************************************
>Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
>Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
> Evansville, IN 47722
>el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
>*****************************************************************

I have conducted and played this, and I believe that the marking for the
sextuplet is correct. First, the sextuplet only lasts one beat, so it is
possible to single tongue this by keeping the tongue at the tip of the
reed, using just the tip of the tongue, and barely moving the tongue. I
have always single tongued this passage without too much trouble. (You
must, of course, have a light flexible reed.)

Another solution is to use multiple tonguing (double or triple).

The reason I believe it is correct, is that the triangle takes over the
exact same sextuplet figure two measures later and the figure in the
clarinet sets it up and starts the rhythm in motion. When done clearly and
carefully it sounds quite nice and effective.

Unfortunately, most conductors don't notice it (and hence ignore it), and
most clarinetists underplay it, or worse yet, change it back to a trill.

-------------------
Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net