Klarinet Archive - Posting 000399.txt from 1998/12

From: Note Staff Unlimited <notestaff@-----.ch>
Subj: [kl] Re: changing clarinets
Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 07:12:16 -0500

Tony Pay schrieb:

> On Sun, 6 Dec 1998 22:14:53 +0200, hmaki@-----.fi said:
>
> > Anybody want to go from here?
>
> How about you? Notice that the only real answer is in your playing.

> (snip)

> If the end result isn't worth it, don't do it. (If I have to play in a
> freezing church, I might decide differently.

> (snip)

> > But then I found that, actually, the whole first movement goes very
> > well on the C clarinet!

(snip)>

> > So, what I'm going to do is to play movements 1 & 2 on the C, and
> > switch to the basset for 3 & 4. It's a pragmatic choice really,
> > because the musical results (played by me, at any rate!) are much
> > better.
> >
> > I could of course say that I'm adopting the point of view that the 18
> > year old Schubert didn't really write for the A clarinet for any
> > special reason, and was 'merely' following the convention of no more
> > than 1 sharp in the key signature (for the knowledge of which
> > convention I am indebted to you), but of course you know I wouldn't
> > stoop so low:-)
> >
> (snip)

> Wha'dd'y'all think?
>
> Tony
> --
> _________ Tony Pay
> |ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
> | |ay Oxford OX2 6RE
> tel/fax 01865 553339
>

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As you say, the best pragmatic solution in that situation. A more expensive
solution (with somebody else on the first clarinet part) might have been less
satisfying (stranger coming in to play with orch.).

I did a similar thing three times this year (not knowing about your solution)
with the Markgräfler Symphonieorchester (modern instruments). We started out
with Mendelssohn Italian Symph. (all on the A). Then came the Mozart
Concerto. Of course I considered it more important to be warmed up well for
the Mozart than to go for a real authentic sound in the Mendelssohn. In fact,
I think the Mendelssohn sounded pretty good with the first clarinet part on
the basset.

After the interval, the Bizet Carmen Suite made for a rather mishmash program
and a rather exhausting gig.

David
David Glenn
notestaff@-----.ch

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