Klarinet Archive - Posting 000121.txt from 1997/03

From: Kathi A <kathi@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: who played it first???
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 21:49:26 -0500

To be more specific, what I meant by, "Who played it first?" was really, who
(or actually was there ONE person to start it) made up the very beginning
techniques? I guess that since technique has been improved and invented over
the years no one person has done it; however someone had to have been the
first to play, was it the inventor? Or does this question have no answer at
all. I have contimplated whole heartedly about this subject numerous times
but I personally can not answer. I'd love to hear the opinions of ANYONE on
this group. Thanks so much,
---<-{= Kathi A =}->---

>You can read in lots of books "who played it first", but your question is
>interesting in the late 20th century. Before the advent of recordings
>there were very clear "schools" of clarinet playing-German, with Oehler
>system,dark and rather inflexible,- French, which was very different at one
>point,brighter, lighter sound- Italian, with the mouthpiece on "upside
>down", and then an emerging American school, led mainly by students of
>Daniel Bonade.
>
>Now with recordings these lines have become much more hazy, as we can all
>listen to the very best, or at least most famous, of each of these
>countries, and new generations take what they want from each and create a
>more "international" school. Is this better or worse? Not necessarily
>either, but it is a change. Probably the general level of competence world
>wide has gone up, and the level of individuality has gone somewhat more
>flat. Equiptment has gotten better, thanks to competition from new makers
>making the older lines pay more attention to detail and innovation, many
>more talented mouthpiece makers abound, pushing design to new levels of
>sophistication, and cane growers have learned to control some of the
>variables of their difficult business.
>
>So, back to the question, who did it first? Depends a lot on what you mean
>by "it".
>
>This is not meant as a definitive answer, but a beginning of conversation.
>I look forward to other postings.
>
>--
>J. Lawrie Bloom
>clarinet and bass clarinet Chicago Symphony Orchestra
>Northwestern University l-bloom@-----.edu
>
>

   
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