Klarinet Archive - Posting 001020.txt from 1998/01

From: Labadorf <Labadorf@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Adagio for clarinet choir
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 19:50:18 -0500

In a message dated 1/22/98 4:42:13 PM, you wrote:

<<Actually, the first clarinet part dominated the other (3?) players, so
much so that I wasn't sure if they were all sopranos or perhaps one
bass. Might have been A's, bassetts, altos, or whatever - I was working
at the time and couldn't listen closely. But it didn't seem like there
was an Eb soprano present, and the first part seemed to be entirely
chalumeau and clarion, with no screechiness at all, even at the
"climax." As I said, very subtle and tasteful.
>>

With only four parts, this must be a transcription of the slow movement from
Barber's String Quartet and not the later version for string orchestra.

In my study of the Barber Adagio a very long time ago, I seem to remember the
string parts up in the extreem high range of their instruments at the the
climax. I can't imagine clarinets in their chalumeau or even clarinet
registers with the same kind of tension that Barber created with the strings.

I can see this (Klarinet list) string leading to a discussion of
transcriptions. The question I have to ask regarding a transcription of the
Barber Adagio for Strings for Clarinets is: Why? Why bother to transcribe
any music as long as it can be performed with the original intended
instrumentation? I can understand something like the Schubert Arpeggione
Sonata (last I heard, there were no applied arpeggione lessons offered in any
college or conservatory).

I have been through this personally with a few of my own transcriptions from
the original orchestra to wind ensemble. What I learned was that a major part
of a successful transcription is not orchestration or even an attempt at
matching the original sound with substitution instruments (i.e., clarinets for
violins, etc). The most important step in transcribing from one medium to
another is choosing the right work to transcribe. In my opinion, it has to
*sound* at least equally as well in the transcribed medium as the original or
else it is simply a waste of time.

The Barber Adagio for Stings is a beautiful and powerful work. It's hard for
me to imagine a transcription for clarinet ensemble working as well.

Tom L.
Clarinetist, U.S. Coast Guard Band
Adjunct Instructor, Connecticut College & Hartt College Community Division.