Klarinet Archive - Posting 000827.txt from 1997/12

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: morales post
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 1997 17:53:39 -0500

On Wed, 17 Dec 1997, NYSAP wrote:

>
> Dear Dan,
>
> I agree with your point that we should strive to play works as the
> composer has intended. But what i dont agree on is that one should compromise
> ones standard of excellence to do so. Yes you can buy a Bb basset clarinet
> from a German brand but why would sacrifice tone and intonation to just play a
> few notes? I think you would have had more of a problem with the performance
> if Mr. Morales played the aria out of tune and with a terrible sound. As
> stated in his posting, he did look for an instrument and didnt find any that
> was up to his standards.
> What bothered me about your postings is the fact you think because he
> is young that he is immature in his musical knowlege. What makes you think
> that the principle of the METROPOLITAN OPERA would not know about the basset
> part in the PARTO PARTO aria? You know when I was 20 even I knew that the
> aria was played on Bb basset let alone Ricardo who has had the job for almost
> 5 years and he is 25.
>
>
> NYSAP@-----.COM
>
Well, I for one am so pleased for you and your vast breadth of knowledge.
However, there are many participants on this list and people in this world
who don't profess to know everything, myself included. I am a doctoral
candidate in clarinet performance, I have played 2nd/sub principal for the
Arizona Opera for 4 seasons, and I am still constantly learning about
many, many aspects of my profession, from "what the heck is a heldentenor
and why is he so neurotic" to "what is this green stuff on the back of my
reed and will it kill me if I ingest it" (just kidding). (Lest you think
I am some ignorant rube from Bumblef*ck University, let me just add that
I, too, attended Northwestern University, studied with Russ Dagon, and
graduated in 1988). Age alone is not a determinant of one's educational
background, but is often a factor because one simply has not had the time
to experience as much at 25 years old as at 55 years old. Nobody in this
entire world knows everything about everything! I'm sure that when I was
20, I knew something that you didn't know; big deal! I'm sure that
there are pieces that I have played that you or Ricardo or perhaps
even the inimitable Dan Leeson have not played either; big deal! This
alone does not make me more wonderful than anyone else!

I'm also curious as to why you think that Mr. Morales would have had to
sacrifice his standard of excellence, his tone and intonation had he used
a basset clarinet. Any professional worth his salt would make every
effort to 1) obtain the best instrument possible and then 2) learn the
instrument, find its tendencies and practice the parts on it. If I, as a
part-time orchestra member who only earns about $5,000 a year from
performing, am capable of doing this, I'm quite certain that Mr. Morales's
sense of professionalism would impel him to do the same, had he the
opportunity or necessity to do so (it is indicated above that he could not
find an instrument of desirable quality; if I were in that situation I
believe I would do the same thing!) I have heard only wonderful,
complimentary things about him as a clarinetist and as a person, and do
not interpret any of this thread as a personal attack. I enjoyed his
reply to this list and did not infer that he took it that way either
(although I have since deleted the post and cannot confirm that). It
seems that the only people taking offense here have no real reason to do
so.

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu

   
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