Klarinet Archive - Posting 000066.txt from 1997/08

From: Michael Thrasher <mt0003@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Copland Concerto
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 13:40:30 -0400

On Sun, 3 Aug 1997, Craig E. G. Countryman wrote:

> Also, I have been swinging the relaxed section, but when
> I start to accel and finally reach 144, I go back to straight eights,
> until "132" is marked again. Any thoughts on this? I've heard it
> played swung and straight.

I was wondering when this point would come up. At m. 297 (with humor,
relaxed), many performers traditionally play the eighth notes in swing
style. However, no indication is provided by the composer that they are
to be performed that way. If memory serves correctly, Goodman does not
swing them in his recording.

> Also, I've been digging around for a Goodman recording. Any
> suggestions on which one might be the best? I;ve even heard, from the
> Klarinet archieves, that his is not THE recording, but certainly it
> deserves a listen, does it not?

I believe the recording is with Goodman playing (the performer for
whom the concerto was written) and Copland conducting. You can check
Richard Gilbert's Clarinet Discography for the details.

One thing to keep in mind: over the years, I have been fortunate enough
to meet several people who either knew Copland or had worked with him.
They all tend to agree that Copland was very picky about his music being
performed exactly the way he wrote it. A recording that includes Copland
and Goodman is an important primary source for discovering
exactly how the composer wanted the worked performed. One of the
criticism's of Stoltzman's recording relates to the extensive
liberties he takes with the music.

BTW, a dissertation on this concerto was done by Bruce Bullock at the
University of North Texas, c. 1972 or so.

Michael Thrasher

   
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