Klarinet Archive - Posting 001278.txt from 1997/08

From: Mitch Bassman <mbassman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Nielsen Concerto
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 1997 14:24:52 -0400

Hmmm, how should I respond to this (questionably serious) comment? In
response to Lori Lovato's query about where to place the snare drummer when
performing the Nielsen Concerto with piano, David McClune quipped:

>Either back stage behind lots of curtains or close enough so you can easily
>see each other...!

I hope Lori choses the latter alternative. In fact, I think that the
prominent snare drum part in the Nielsen is sufficiently interesting that
the work (when performed with piano instead of orchestra) ought to be
considered a trio for three equally important musicians, rather that a
clarinet solo with orchestral (or piano and snare drum) accompaniment.
Further, the question deserves the same consideration by the Klarinet list
that the corresponding question received several months ago when posed with
respect to the placement of clarinet, soprano, and piano when performing
"The Shepherd on the Rock."

Perhaps I am unusally fond of percussion music for a clarinetist. I know
many, many percussionists who play far more musically and act far more
professionally (whether or not they are professionals) than many woodwind,
brass, and string musicians I know. Of course, I know equally many who play
far less musically. The point is that the snare drum is just as important a
musical instrument as the clarinet. (You touched a nerve, David; I'm not
really picking on you. I just get really ticked off whenever I hear a wind
or string player, who cannot play a single tone musically, denigrate a
percussionist who is a fine musician.)

Anyway, let's try to answer Lori's question. I've never SEEN this concerto
performed live with either piano or orchestra, so I am certainly not the
definitive source here. However, I agree that the three musicians have to
be able to see each other. Assuming the usual configuration of a grand
piano, consider putting the clarinetist in the crook of the piano with the
drummer on the clarinetist's left (stage left, audience right) and facing
inward. That is, the clarinetist (facing the audience) is in the middle of
the other two (equally important) musicians (who are facing each other). I
guarantee that, when appropriate, a good percussionist will be able to play
that drum even more softly than the clarinet will be played.

As I said, I have unfortunately never seen this work performed live. How is
it typically staged with an orchestra? Is the snare drum soloist moved to
the center front of the orchestra? (I have seen this done with other
works.) On my recording of two Nielsen concertos (for clarinet and flute),
the name of the snare drum soloist is prominently printed (in the same
size) on the CD (back) cover along with those of the clarinetist (John
Bruce Yeh) and flutist. I, personally, was happy to see that.

Has anyone actually performed this work with piano and drum?

Mitch Bassman
mbassman@-----.com
lover of percussion music