Klarinet Archive - Posting 000609.txt from 1997/05

From: OLIVER@-----.EDU
Subj: Re: Expert Opinions and Stupid Questions
Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 12:53:28 -0400

Regarding any of us being acquainted or not being acquainted
with a certain piece of music, 'tis a mere bagatelle in
my opinion.

About a year ago I took my first clarinet lesson in 40 years.
Or I should say members of our ensemble took one together. One
member was generous enough to invite us to use his time
(it wasn't bad P.R. for his teacher, also). Anyway his
teacher was a former principal with the L.A. Philharmonic.
During the hour or so there he pulled out an ancient photo
of the Simeon Bellison (sp?) clarinet choir in Carnegie Hall.
He was the young man in the first (or was it the second?) row.
Anyway, when we said that we'd first like to try the
Beethoven Opus 87 (originally for two oboes and English horn)
he said that he wasn't familiar with that piece. Later
we did one of the Bouffil trios. He said that he'd never
heard of that composer. That kind of gap in one's knowledge
doesn't surprise me anymore. It will, I think, become
more of a surprise over the next 20 years, now that
electronic card catalogs are available to all of us, not
to mention a rapidly growing collection of MIDI and notation
files on the net.

And by the way, I'm 58, been playing clarinet for 48 years,
and until the Schubert "Shepherd" piece was mentioned I'd
never heard of it. I might recognize the melody but I
drew a blank with the name. Not to worry. I found it on
one of my favorite card catalogs and it has been duly
requested through interlibrary loan. Thanks to all for
the lead. I know a soprano in Paris whose arm I may
just be able to twist for a little evening musicale. . .

8-)

Oliver

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org