Klarinet Archive - Posting 000999.txt from 1998/01

From: Matthew Hanson <mchanson@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Adagio for clarinet choir
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 19:49:57 -0500

Roger Garrett wrote:
>
> So, is this the version that Barber approved of or is it a new version?
>
> Roger Garrett

Roger Garret,

No, it is not... And I hope that it is not to be thought of such in the
future. This Stolzman/Opperman choir arrangement is not approved by
Barber. And anyway, it is not very original. It is for one, much
shorter-very edited. The climax is lacking (in my opinion) but I guess
that is good. Who wants to hear clarinets trying to do that anyway???
No, there is no Eb clarinet. Maybe then they could give it a try.
But without 5 or so of them, it just wouldn't have the thinkness of a
string orchestra. But the 5 Eb clarinets would be a nightmare, even if
all the same brand/model. The actual CD this recording is from mentions
that it DOES include arrangements approved by Samuel Barber, but I would
imagine that to be the vocal arr. since people have been doing that one
for quite a long time. There ARE two string orchestra recordings
present. It mentions "plus unique arrangements performed by superstars
James Galway, The Canadian Brass and Richard Stolzman".

I have a friend here in Texas who arranged Barber's original string
orchestra version for full clarinet choir. In my opinion, it is more
true to Barber than the Stolzman/Opperman recording, which is very
"Stolzmanesque" and probably meant to be more entertaining.

just my $0.02,

Matthew Hanson
Houston, TX

>
> On Thu, 22 Jan 1998, Matthew Hanson wrote:
>
> > Robin Fairbairns wrote:
> > >
> > > > <<I heard a personal first today: Barber's Adagio for Strings performed
> > > > by a clarinet choir, Richard Stolzman principal. [...]
> > > > >>
> > > >
> > > > E-gad!! I like the clarinet, but I can't imagine the shrill sound of a bunch
> > > > of clarinetist (including E-flat I would venture to guess) shreaking during
> > > > the climax! If Barber himself approved it, he must have been experiencing a
> > > > week moment.
> > >
> > > strange as it may seem, many choirs manage to keep their e-flatter in
> > > control; one assumes that stoltzman would have attracted a player
> > > whose control was adequate to the matter.
> > >
> > > r
> > The Stolzman Adagio is in a lower key.
> >
> > Matt Hanson
> >