Klarinet Archive - Posting 000636.txt from 1998/01

From: "reedy" <mwhight@-----.uk>
Subj: RE Re vibrato
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 19:20:21 -0500

Dan
It is not my intention to be absolutist about use of vibrato with these
instruments and if my rather awkward prose style gets in the way or suggests
otherwise I apologise.

I can only relate as a matter of possible interest to others what my
personal experience is with these instruments and why I have come to my own
conclusions at this point.

One thing is for sure about this issue ... and that is nothing is for sure!

It does seem to be reasonable that we take as a starting point the only
first hand information at our disposal - the instruments.

You are correct in saying that Stadler probably didn't use my type of
instrument which is French. The bass clarinettist in our orchestra owns an
original set of Grenser clarinets with mouthpiece from which Daniel Bangham
has based his copies. These instruments are different in style to mine but
do share similar mouthpiece and response characteristics.

Most of the mouthpieces that I have tried seem similar in concept.

It is intriguing that you believe that the vocal style of the time requires
vibrato. Do you mean the kind of vibrato used by Emma Kirkby or a more
romantic style?

We get into the whole difficulty of whether you approach classical style
from a Romantic point of view or from the other direction.Who knows what is
right?

For me the interest of a discussion like this is not to prove that one
person is right or wrong(impossible anyhow) but to understand how we all
come to our various conclusions and to welcome all. I can see reading my
initial message that I may have seemed to dictate "right way" - for that I
am sorry but on the other hand I don't think I am alone in my guilt there.

I understand that you are having problems with the basis of my arguement.
What approach would you take? This would be of deep interest to me so that I
can reevaluate my own position.

Many great players have been mentioned in regard to this matter,inparticular
Charles Neidich who I have utmost respect for. For those of you that know
him well it would be fantastic to hear his views.

Again apologies for my prose -I always end up writing when I should be in
bed!

Michael Whight