Klarinet Archive - Posting 000039.txt from 2000/01

From: Feanor <feanor@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Concert A
Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2000 11:02:27 -0500

The way I understand it is that the tradition arose in the Baroque era when
the oboe was less able to adjust than the strings (not the other winds - of
which there were few, if any in most Baroque orchestras).

In my experience, most people do not listen to the Oboe and play where they
will. I wish it were different, but I also think its about 150 years past
the time where we should be tuning to such a soft instrument. Once a few
people start playing, you can't even hear the Oboe. Our oboists are quite
excellent and generally give a good 440 A, but we rarely play that low, and
it has recently been a contentious subject. The most in tune I ever played
was when Frederick Fennell tuned the Interlochen Symphonic Band (summer
1983) to the Trombone section. He then added a section at a time.
Personally, I think tuning to Trumpet or Trombone would make more sense.
Some orchestras tune to an electronic sound coming from several on-stage
speakers. I'm torn about that. On the one hand, you can hear it, on the
other, it's not usually a sound you like hearing.

Anyway: my 2 cents worth.

Sean Osborn, Clarinet
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

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