Klarinet Archive - Posting 001030.txt from 1997/11

From: Ebklar <Ebklar@-----.com>
Subj: Re: New topic...when to transcribe?
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 15:38:21 -0500

Re: "Huh? I don't get it?" submitted by BL35173

What are your thoughts on transcribing works from the literature for other
instruments? Is it necessary, or should we concentrate on
procuring/commissioning new music? Do you transcribe? If so, what have you
done? How do you handle copyright issues? What do you play for Eb and bass
clarinet solos? Is transcribing an opportunity to play great music that we
otherwise would not be able to play, or is it merely an exercise in poor taste
or ego-gratification(SEE--I can play just as well as a violin or a flute, if I
only had the reportoire)? If you transcribe, how do you go about selecting a
piece? If you do it, how do you determine whether it will work on clarinet?
And finally, just out of idle curiosity, if you wanted to transcribe but were
unsure of exactly how, would you do it on your own and hope for the best or
feel your way through, or would you get someone to do it for you? Also, have
you done any arranging at all for anything......why or why not?
Mostly, I just wanted to get some opinions/feedback on transcribing and
arranging and discuss the issues involved (selection of music, copyrights,
transposition, which instrument to transcribe for, why we make the choices we
make when transcribing, how to know when something just will not work, etc.) I
enjoy playing things that are new to me, and transcribing gives me a chance to
play Vivaldi, Haydn, more Mozart, Bach (especially on sax), Franck, more
Schubert, more and more and more HINDEMITH (my favorite composer), etc.
If I'm still not being clear about the question, just Email me.

Mark
EbKLAR@-----.com