Klarinet Archive - Posting 000111.txt from 1997/04

From: Cadenza <Cadenza@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Vernacular "Horn"
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 00:40:21 -0500

I wince as well when a clarinet is referred to as a "horn". There is an
interesting history to this.

It dates back to when I was and undergrad at UCLA and was planning on driving
from LA to SF. I was even more brash in my youth than I am now and decided
that I should get to know the great Reginald Kell who was living in Carmel,
CA. Kind of on the way. I found his address and wrote him telling him all
the things I was doing (Gad I cannot believe the ego I had, as if he could
give two hairy's) and said that I would be driving up and would have my horn
in the back seat of my car. Maybe we could play some duets.

Well believe it or not he was enough of a gentleman to actually write a
response. But it was curt and appropriately cutting to me. In his last
sentence he said, "I'm sorry but I cannot make my self available to someone
who carries a horn in his car."

I realize especially with Kell that he always was uncomfortable and very
critical with the loud, insensitive type of playing he heard from US wind
players, especially living in NYC in the 50's and early 60's. I think it was
very fitting that the word horn repulsed him. My misfortune, I never met him.

Best,

John Gates
Cadenza@-----.com

   
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