Klarinet Archive - Posting 000514.txt from 2000/01

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: Re: [kl] Berio Sequenza IXa
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 14:15:16 -0500

On Wed, 12 Jan 2000 23:12:19 EST, Labadorf@-----.com said:

> Is there a reference that I can check for more information on
> performance of the piece or even performance of Berio's music in
> general?

I remembered that there is one thing that sometimes confuses people
about the notation of this piece -- and it isn't explained.

Starting on p4, line 2, there is a clarinet register Bb consisting of a
quarter-notes-worth of thirtysecond notes. (Is that US-compliant?-)
Above this note is a horizontal line with a '+' sign in the middle.

The intention of this is a gesture that begins a little slowly and does
an accelerando and molto crescendo to the subsequent accent, rather like
a supercharged Monteverdi decoration. So the '+' sign represents the
accelerando.

Berio was particularly insistent on the intensity of the dramatic
'explosion' at the end of this ornament.

Another thing that is puzzling, if you don't know about it, is that the
Sequenza was originally written to be performed in interaction with a
real-time computer program. Hence the long held notes, which
accompanied an electronic 'transformation' of part of what the clarinet
had just played.

The first performance was a disaster -- the computer crashed, and had to
be switched off, leading Berio to abandon the idea. He subsequently
issued just the solo clarinet part.

However, the long held notes remain.

I would say that an interesting feature of any performance of this piece
is how the player approaches the problem of making these (very long)
pauses convincing.

And no, I've never asked Berio how he thinks one ought to do that.

After all, he might tell us.

;-)

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE GMN family artist: www.gmn.com
tel/fax 01865 553339

..... Carpenters do it with wood...

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