Klarinet Archive - Posting 001134.txt from 1997/08

From: avrahm galper <agalper@-----.com>
Subj: Composer's intentions
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 13:39:08 -0400

Composer's intentions

Recently there were questions asking what the composer might have had in
mind, what his intention was.

Regarding composer's intentions I have an anecdote to relate: (its true)

Years ago, playing in the Toronto Symphony, we often played the Sibelius
Symphony # 2.

At the very end of the Symphony, where the whole symphony orchestra is
blowing its head off, the clarinets are tacit the last bar.

I wrote Sibelius, plainly addressed to Jean Sibelius Finland, and asked
him whether the Tacit was a printer's error.

A reply came from his secretary, saying the following:

"Replying to your letter of October 23rd, Dr.Sibelius begs to inform
you that the bar that puzzles you at the end of his Second Symphony is
not a misprint but is always played without the clarinets.

However, if you wish, it will do no harm if you hold the last chord
fortissimo to the end.
Yours sincerely, Secretary.

Avrahm Galper
Adjunct Professor
University of Toronto,
Royal conservatory of Music
(I have the letter with me)