Klarinet Archive - Posting 000399.txt from 1997/12

From: "Lorne G. Buick" <lgbuick@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Today's Titus on the Met Broadcast
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 09:09:39 -0500

>
> Or.....we may simply play a piece in any way we like simply because we
> like it that way. If it is not being portrayed as original in every way,
> it is not a crime, nor is it unprofessional.

Roger, I really have to disagree with you on this one. We are not talking
about playing a crescendo where there's none written or adding some
interpretive detail, we're talking about playing the notes that Mozart
wrote. I think the principal player in (correct me if I'm wrong) the most
prestigious and highly-paid opera orchestra, certainly the most
widely-heard opera orchestra in the US if not in the world, has an
obligation to play the notes that Mozart wrote. "we may simply play a piece
in any way we like simply because we like it that way" really doesn't cut
it. BTW do you have inside information that Morales chose to play it on
regular Bb "simply because he likes it that way" or is that strictly your
own opinion?

What is professional anyway?
> If the Boston Pops plays the Beatles does it mean they are unprofessional?
> If some movie producer produces a movie based on a book, is that person
> unprofessional? It really boils down to how it was presented and why.

Interesting point. Did anyone at the Met or on the broadcast announce that
"we present Mozart's opera almost the way he wrote it?"

> There is nothing wrong with the version Morales played.......it is still a
> beautiful work, and it is still representative of Mozart's music, albeit
> not the original intention.

Well, to me "not the original intention" and "nothing wrong with the
version" are incompatible.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LGB Lorne G Buick St. John's
lgbuick@-----.net Newfoundland
Canada