Klarinet Archive - Posting 000126.txt from 1999/03

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] About authenticity
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 02:32:08 -0500

On Tue, 2 Mar 1999, Steven J Goldman, MD wrote:
> But Roger, have you ever heard a serpent played by someone who really could
> play it well. Rare as hen's teeth they are. And the senority actually blends
> well with period instruments. Now even when the serpent was the instrument
> of choice, some people didn't like it (Handel was supposed to have remarked
> "Dat vas certainly not the serpent dat tempted Eve"). And think of the
> remarks many of us have made about the saxophone! I guess my point is do not
> cast off out of hand period instruments just because you have not heard them
> played well, or are not attuned to their timbers. I would not want to hear a
> tuba in the Music for the Royal fireworks (original version for wind band).

I have a cassette tape that the president of my university, Minor Myers,
gave me of serpent players playing works on period instruments. They were
very good, and they are considered some of the best modern players of
serpents.

I have not cast off period instruments because I have not heard them
played well......I don't like the way they sound. I would not purchase a
compact disc of a work that was played with a serpent that sounded as I
have heard them - why? My TASTE disagrees with what I hear. So.....music
that is written for serpents......we substitute....and I do so with great
joy and compassion for the audience.....and know that, had the tuba been
around (Dan eat your heart out) I GUARANTEE he would have chosen it
instead of the serpent!

I love this list
Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director - Concert Band, Symphonic Winds & Titan Band
Advisor - Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University

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