Klarinet Archive - Posting 000439.txt from 1999/05

From: ebray <ebray@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Today's NY Times (5/4/99)
Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 12:57:49 -0400

>@-----.org =====
>In a message dated 5/10/99 4:22:40 PM, leeson@-----.edu writes:
>
><<Erin, it is like anything else in life. You either move forward
>with the technology or you get left behind. >>
>
>Dan makes an excellent point.

>I didn't own an A clarinet and could not beg or borrow one anywhere in Rhode
>Island. (This was in the days before eBay.) The opportunity was so special to
>me that I blew almost $2000 that year on a new Buffet R13 A clarinet. Sure, I
>could have enjoyed a neat vacation instead.
>
>When it comes to some things in life, you want to think "value," not "cost."
>
>Cindy

I understand what everyone is saying & I didn't realize that this was such a
volatile issue. My point is, I would have paid big $$$ to see Marcellus or
Wright play these works on a kazoo. There are folks that specialize in
period-type performances, I would rather leave that to them. The modern
basset clarinets surely do not sound as the clarinets of Mozart's day. (This
point was made already) There is so much MUSIC in K. 581 and K. 622, is that
not the point? Maybe it would be nice to hear all of those really low notes
that a basset clarinet can hit, but what of all the phrasing and cleverness
that comes with a great performance?

A typical bag of tricks for a working player is what--a B flat, an A,
hopefully an E-flat and at some point a bass? Not to say that there is no
call for the basset clarinet or the basset horn (Gran Partita), but these have
been "special" instruments in the past and maybe will remain that way until
all working musicians and teachers finally get rich.

I surely wouldn't gripe or pass judgement if I had the honor to see Combs play
the Mozart on his regular A clarinet; I would probably love it if he played it
on his B flat.

EB

ebray@-----.edu
Erin Bray
Grad. Assistant
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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