Klarinet Archive - Posting 000056.txt from 1997/08

From: rteitelbaum@-----.com (Rob Teitelbaum)
Subj: RE: Copland Concerto
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 1997 22:47:41 -0400

Craig,

I've never taken this section (from measure 296) at 132. Maybe some list
members will disagree with me, but I've always felt as you do--that
taking it at mm 132 destroys the relaxed feeling. Maybe this is the
problem with some of the performances I've heard, apart from whatever
nuances they may or may not be adding to the notes. I'll have to think
about that... Anyway, I think 120ish is a better tempo. It feels natural
and relaxed, and provides a nice contrast to the rest of the post-cadenza
portion of the Concerto that Copland so aptly described as "Perky." I
listened to Shifrin's recording (my favorite) and he seems to be taking
it in the upper 120's, but not 132. However, he still seems to like
taking the brief acclerando (beginning at measure 307, and again at 336)
all the way up to mm 144, which is what I do too. This may seem something
of an extreme contrast, but I think it's meant to be--sort of an agitato
response to the mellow humor of the preceding and succeeding music.

Of course, this comes with my standard disclaimer, that this is just my
interpretation and it's your right (and your job) as performer to
interpret the piece as you wish. Hopefully some of the other list members
can offer alternative interpretations. But I would say don't feel bound
to 132 just because that's the tempo Copland marked. Anyone who's ever
heard Gershwin play the "Rhapsody in Blue" solo piano arrangement knows
that composers aren't necessarily the definitive interpreters of their
own music. (I'm probably opening myself up to flames, but oh well.)

As for the competition, if the judges are competent (always a big if)
then they won't penalize you, just as long as you're resonably steady in
whatever tempo you do choose, and as long as you have the same tempo at
296 as you do at 373 (the reprise of the same motif.) If they harass you
about it, just say that you didn't think the laid-back feeling Copland
was seeking could be attained at 132. This should show them that it was a
decision you put a lot of thought into, and wasn't just a performance-day
flub.

Rob Teitelbaum
rteitelbaum@-----.com