Klarinet Archive - Posting 000630.txt from 1998/01

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.net>
Subj: Re: RE RE vibrato
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 18:41:07 -0500

>Jonathan
>
>You seem quite upset that I hold a different view to your own.
>I am merely stating my personal view and giving my reasons for holding
>it.Let's keep calm!

I'm not upset in the least. Here's what I said:

>Michael Whight wrote:
>
>>In the classical context vibrato is an inappropriate expressive device
>>simply because we can say with some certainty that it was unknown on the
>>classical clarinet.
>
>According to who or what? I have never heard any such evidence.
>
>And I believe there is evidence to the contrary. I don't have the
>reference at hand, but I recall having read that Mozart described the
>playing of his drinking buddy, clarinetist friend Anton Stadler with the
>same adjectives as he used to describe the singing of his vibrato-using
>soprano singers.
>
>> It is impossibl to vibrato on a classical clarinet with
>>a classical mouthpiece(Grenser or Simiot) and so there seems little
>>justification for it.
>
>Impossible according to who? I can do it.
>

I simply asked for some evidence to back up your assertion that "we can say
with some certainty that it was unknown on the classical clarinet". Dan L.
and I have already given some evidence to the contrary. I would be
interested in seeing some evidence that backs up your assertion.

>
>I await a more persuasive arguement vis a vis the use of vibrato than the
>one that you have given. I don't know the Mozart/Stadler story but it seems
>to me that this isn't really good enough.The story may be false in itself
>and can only be treated as hearsay.

I recall reading it in something written by Mozart (a letter or other
document). Perhaps Dan recalls. I'll go check my sources.

Certainly, this alone doesn't prove anything definitively, but it is
definitely evidence in favor of vibrato on the clarinet in the classical
period.

As Dan has pointed out, there is plenty of other evidence for vibrato in
general on all instruments (other than percussive) in the classical period.
It was a standard practice of the time.

>I am interested that you can vibrato on your classical set up. Can you tell
>me what equipment you use? Also can you describe the nature of the vibrato
>so that I can be sure what we are talking about?

Recently in Japan, I played on an original 6-key boxwood clarinet (not a
reproduction), which I believe was from around 1800. I don't know what the
mouthpiece was, but I believe that it was also original (with a string to
wrap the reed on). I had no trouble doing all the same kinds of vibrato
that I do on my modern Rossi clarinets: namely, lip/jaw, diaphragm, and
soft palette.

>Do you find that the nature of the classical clarinet demands or naturally
>suggests use of vibrato?Many instruments as you will know lead the players
>to play in a certain style.I can't say that I have had that experience with
>my classical instruments.

I think the nature of man itself draws people of all cultures in all parts
of the world throughout most of musical history to use vibrato on all
continuously driven instruments (i.e. not percussive instruments--although
the modern day vibraphone is an exception to that) in all kinds of music.

------------------
Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net