Klarinet Archive - Posting 001046.txt from 1997/09

From: "Craig E. G. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Transposition, Schuller, etc.
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 00:41:08 -0400

I agree totally with Nichelle. One of my favorite authors is
Shakespeare, and this is mainly because of his ability to take a story,
and make it a timeless classic. We don't live in Elizabethean (sp????)
England, and we have much more elaborate scenery, stages, props, etc.,
and we dare to allow women to play the roles of women!!!! (I can
picture a little kid whose voice hasn't changed playing Lady MacBeth,
can't you?) But, we still love his works! Just because we have not
taken everything exactly as it would have been doesn't mean we can't
enjoy his works, and it doesn't mean we can't find meaning in them.

Likewise, classic music will be performed differently then it was at its
premire (spelling??, again -- sorry, it's late). It still has meaning,
and purpose to it. Beethoven's Marcia Funerbe from Eroica still brings
tears to my eyes, and Overture 1812 still gives me joy in the triumph of
Russia over Napolean. They meat of the music is still there, and while
clarinets may have more keys, or theatres more advanced scenery, the
basic effect will be the same.

What I am trying to say, is this: things will change, and to argue they
won't is a losing battle. This, however, doesn't excuse us making
arbitrary changes, such as using the wrong horn. Obiviously there are
circumstances which the right horn can't be used -- make due. But, I
don't like the idea of dragging the extra issues of pitch being raised
over the years, clarinets getting more keys, etc, etc. into the
discussion. These are evolutionary changes that we can't help. Rather
than focusing on what we can't change, we should focus on what we do
have control over!

--
Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711

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"Inspiration may be a form of superconciousness,
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But I am sure it is the antithesis of
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