Klarinet Archive - Posting 001322.txt from 1999/05

From: "William J. Maynard" <klarinet@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Crusell-Tony Pay
Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 23:35:20 -0400

A recent message complimented Tony Pay's recording of a Crusell concerto. I
assume the writer was referring to the Virgin Classics recording where Mr.
Pay plays all three of the Crusell concertos with the Age of Enlightenment
orchestra. It is a wonderful recording and should be a part of all
clarinetists record library. What was not mentioned was that he played the
works on a nine keyed boxwood replica of a ca. 1810 clarinet made by
Grenser. Daniel Bangham made the copy according to the record notes.
Having a large collection of early clarinets I would on occasion be invited
to talk about their history, etc. The first question would be "what do they
sound like?" At first I was lucky to get out a sound, but after having some
good restoration work performed, and having a few mouthpieces made, I
decided to spend some serious time practicing on the early boxwood examples.
After several years I became a pretty good stumbler, at least good enough
for demonstration purposes. Not to say that I didn't try my best. Then I
heard Tony Pay play and I must say a new world opened up.Not only was it
fine playing but it was on one of the old clarinet systems. Listening many
times I could not believe how he played chromatic passages, etc., not to
mention trills, which I thought were impossible in some places. Simply
wonderful playing ! Although I have never met Tony Pay, I consider him one
of my teachers. Now if you want to really be dazzled listen to his recording
of the 2 Weber concertos and the concertino, also played on a 9-keyed
instrument.

Bill Maynard

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