Klarinet Archive - Posting 001080.txt from 1998/07

From: jvarineau@-----. Varineau)
Subj: [kl] Mozart's choice of instruments
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 23:07:40 -0400

I have been reading with interest the discussion concerning Mozart's
choice of instruments. Here is another perspective: the choice of the
key of the instrument was of course dictated by the choice of the key of
the piece -- which was of paramount importance during Mozart's (and
Beethoven's etc.) time -- BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT CHARACTER OF EACH KEY.
Sadly, we have lost this sense, for the most part, in the twentieth
century. But for Mozart, A major had a very different feel to it than,
say E-flat major.

It is a really interesting exercise to compare Mozart's compositions in
the same key. For instance, have you noticed the similarity between his
A Major Clarinet Concerto, his A Major Piano concerto, his A major
Clarinet Quintet, and even his A major symphony? Now listen to some of
his stuff in E-flat Major, and throw in some of Beethoven's E-flat stuff
as well, including his Emperor Concerto (E-flat was associated with
"military.")

This by the way is why the change of key in the Exposition of Sonata
Allegro form is so important. It is not just contrasting themes, but a
contrasting "feel" to the key. And this is why it is so important for
both themes to appear in the tonic in the recapitulation.

Again, sadly very few of us (myself included) really respond to the
different feel of keys these days, unless we are synesthetic -- unless we
see colors when we hear sound. I really feel that we are missing the
bulk of the excitement in pre-twentieth century music.

To recap: the choice of the instrument was predicated on the choice of
key which carried with it certain emotional content. Ironically, this is
probably why we think that certain keyed instruments have a particular
character such as brighter/darker, warmer etc.

Oh, for the good old days!

John P. Varineau
Associate Conductor, Grand Rapids Symphony
Conductor, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony
Faculty (adjunct), Calvin College
Conductor, Jubal Brass

John P. Varineau
Associate Conductor, Grand Rapids Symphony
Conductor, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony
Faculty (adjunct), Calvin College
Conductor, Jubal Brass

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