Klarinet Archive - Posting 001143.txt from 1997/08

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: Composer's intentions
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 13:39:17 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.64
> Subj: Composer's intentions

> 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.

A wonderful story, Av!!! Very enjoyable and valuable.

>
>
> Avrahm Galper
> Adjunct Professor
> University of Toronto,
> Royal conservatory of Music
> (I have the letter with me)
=======================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
=======================================