Klarinet Archive - Posting 000437.txt from 1997/08

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Re: Back from Europe....
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 1997 10:54:08 -0400

In a message dated 97-08-12 04:40:57 EDT, you write:

<<
This environment suggests that a performance practice lasts no longer than
the age in which it was created; i.e., if performers did a thing then,
there is no reason for us to presume that we are bound by that thing.
Now that is a matter with which we have considerable disagreement. I
don't want to give my opinion over again. You already know it.
>>

I think this is one of the compelling things about music, the temporal -
exists in the moment - quality. Who knows if the way we perform compositions
of 300 yrs ago now is quite different from the way it was performed then.
Perhaps not worthy of debate as we cannot know for certain.

But you are wrong about our disagreement, in fact I have sought out
performances by Levin/Neidich and others to hear what would have been going
on back then. And find it interesting. It's just that I cannot buy in to
having anybody do it.

<<SNIP...
We are approaching this problem from seriously different directions.
You think that what I suggest is "trashing our heritage" and I think
that not doing it puts a hoop skirt on the Venus di Milo. How can
we communicate effectively from such disparate positions? Even
your vocabulary in describing the practice suggests that your opposition
is so severe that it is useless to pursue it with you. You ask such
questions only to retaliate with yet more criticism of the practice.
I certainly don't detect in you an earnest interest in understanding
or fairly evaluating the performance obligations of a person
executing 18th century music.
>>

I loaded my question for the same reason as I described the "bright" sound
earlier. You tend to respond vigorously to these keywords.

I am wondering what your opinion is on what type of coverage this practice
should have. Is it appropriate in every setting? Does it only deserve to be
done by a few. That's all.

Again I do not wish to criticize the practice, but only want to learn
where/what you think is appropriate. I suspect I was rude. So forget it. I'll
drop it, no hard feelings.

Jerry Korten
NYC

PS - Did you hear any improv/embellishment in Europe? What was it like?