Klarinet Archive - Posting 000873.txt from 1997/08

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: Southern Music Company
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997 17:28:17 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.84
> Subj: Southern Music Company

Gary's note touches on a point that, in my opinion, needs some
discussion; namely, how reliable are the various printings of
publishing companies. Southern is a good example because, over
the years, they have absorbed, the music libraries of other
firms and one has to be very careful about the value of these
much earlier editions.

For example, the Albert J. Andraud wind instrument music library
was bought by Southern when Andraud (English horn player with the
Cincinnati Symphony, I think) passed away sometime after around
1940. Andraud had some very interesting things in his library
and he also had a great deal of music of questionable authenticity.
One such work, the "Mozart Cassation Quartet," has been published
for years by Southern under the assumption that Andraud's description
of it is accurate; i.e., really by Mozart. But even the Koechel
catalog makes a comment about that publication saying "This work
has nothing to do with Mozart."

Now I am not trying to pick on this one piece or even Southern
Music, but rather attempting to point out that a large library
of music for sale does not mean very much in terms of the quality,
reliability, or accuracy of that music.

Even a company as reknowned as Schirmers has been selling a
disastrously bad edition of the Mozart Keggelstat trio since
before WW2. And International has uncritically printed and
reprinted stuff that has serious differences with respect to the composer's
intentions; for example, the Mozart piano/wind quintet, K. 452.

Gary is very helpful in mentioning the Southern web site and it is
good to have it. But the younger players on this list should
develop a skeptical attitude when buying editions. Old does not
mean good; a big catalog does not mean good; and even a prestigious
name does not mean good (though they can, of course).

>
>
>
> Gary VanCott=NHIN
> 08/20/97 09:09 AM
> I looked at the Southern Music Company web site
> (http://www.southernmusic.com) today for the first time in a while. I was
> pleased to see that they now appear to have their entire catalog on-line.
> They have a fair number of clarinet pieces available including student
> methods, solo works, and ensembles of various combinations including
> clarinet choir. I also noticed that their rental catalog has a number of
> clarinet and band works (something klarinet list participants ask about
> from time to time).
>
> I have no affiliation, of course, but think this is a positive development
> and more publishers should be encouraged to do the same.
>
> Gary Van Cott
> Las Vegas, NV
> Gary_VanCott@-----.com
>
>
=======================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
=======================================