Klarinet Archive - Posting 000250.txt from 1997/11

From: fgarcia@-----.edu (Frank Garcia)
Subj: Re: Morales recital
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 13:06:41 -0500

I think that with all of this personal poop-flinging, we've lost track of
the point of this discussion.

I have read (but not saved) all of this discussion, so forgive me if my
memory is slightly in error. Mr. Sheim stated that he felt that some tempi
in this recital were too fast, a point which I can understand after having
heard Morales much of the same rep. at the ClarinetFest this year.

To me, personally, this was not an entirely subjective observation,
although it was written subjectively. One must realize as both an
interpreter and performer of music that we must be able to clearly convey
the intent of the composer to an audience. If the music flies by too
quickly, the listener does not have the opportunity to "take in" the
content of the music. It is my belief that this is at the root of Mr.
Sheim's complaint. "Being able" to play fast is not an excuse to play
everything faster than everyone else. We must have musical intent behind us
as motivation for the choice of such a tempo. Personally, I can play
Weber's Grand Duo as fast as Morales, but choose not to for the above
reason.

If Morales devoted considerable thought and chose fast tempos for the last
movement of the Saint Saens for musical reasons instead of showmanship
reasons (which he did not play at the ClarFest, so I have not heard his
interpretation of the Saint Saens), then we must try to understand
another's interpretation, and either accept it or reject it.

But I do think that we should not judge any one musician too harshly based
on his/her interpretation of one piece.

Morales has a wonderful sound and possesses total command of his
instrument. I don't agree with all of his musical decisions, but who really
gives a damn. I wish I had the consistant control he does so that my
musical decisions could come of of my axe with his clarity and precision.

Frank