Klarinet Archive - Posting 000669.txt from 1997/09

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Brahms, etc.
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 22:47:51 -0400

on 9/12/97 8:11 AM, Roger Shilcock wrote:

>Dear Fred:
>I think you've just raised a controversial point re chamber music in
>general. WHy should being part of the texture mean "nobody can hear his
>part"? I couldn't agree less. What do other klarinetters think?
>With all due respect, but ....

FWIW, I think a clarinetist needs to learn to make a sound for the solos
and a less obtrusive on for the background. This is a principal most
recording engineers seem not to recognize. Having just played the Brahms
Quintet, I can tell you that there are lots of places where the clarinet
is plying 2nd viola or 3rd violin. To make a solo timber, or volume
level, in such a passage is to my mind/ear inappropriate. that doesn't
mean that you're necessarily completely inaudible, but you shouldn't be
in the foreground either. My $.02...

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/