Klarinet Archive - Posting 000559.txt from 2000/02

From: Janet <mcnaught@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Sabine Meyer masterclass
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 12:42:21 -0500

To add to Peter's comments;

The master class was interesting, entertaining and informative for us in the
audience, I can only imagine what it must have been like for the 6 students.
They were from all levels - first year to Master's, 5 soprano clarinets and
one bass clarinet, wide variety of works played; Brahms Sonata #2, Quartet for
the End of Time, Lutoslawski Dance Preludes, Michael Kibbe Sonata for ass
Clarinet and Piano, Copland Concerto and one brave soul tackled the Neilsen
Concerto.

The instruction from Ms. Meyer was a balance of technical and interpretation
- the comments I heard reinforced were:

Playing "extended" phrases (my words) - she corrected players for taking too
many breaths that broke the line of the music, and for letting the technical
demands of difficult passages get in the way of the overall line.

Playing SLOWLY - for example in the Neilson and Messiaen - both students were
tending to rush the difficult passsages - she tried to have them play slower -
each note is important, not the speed of the passage.

Using breath efficiently - using breath support to produce a tone that
carries, even at lowest dynamics.

Relaxing - hands, shoulders, neck and throat, posture - and not using a lot of
extra movement (bending knees etc) when playing. She showed that body
movements should just be used to acentuate the musical passage. She repeatedly
commented on the importance of keeping an open throat.

Making room for the reed to vibrate - having the tone start inside the head,
not just in the mouthpiece, and having it extend out of the bell of the
clarinet. She make corrections to ebouchure if the player was using too much
lip, or taking too little mouthpiece.

Playing with some sense of the overall "meaning" of the piece - having a build
up of tension and then release.

Overall, the most instructive aspect was her playing demonstration. She could
replicate what the student was doing wrong, then explain how to correct it,
then play it correctly. And then when the student tried again, there was a
marked difference in their playing as well.

And, the concert with the TSO was wonderful - expecially interesting having
heard her comments on the piece the day before.

Thanks again to U of T and the TSYO for sponsoring the master class, and
congratulations to Peter Stoll and the rest of the U of T faculty for their
work. I think that they can all be very proud of their students!

Janet

peter.stoll@-----.ca wrote:

> Just a brief note to let the list know how great she was! Very helpful and
> specific comments to each performer on a variety of matters both musical
> and technical. Very supportive but demanding approach. She'll be doing the
> Neilsen Concerto tonight, should be spectacular!
>
> Peter Stoll
> Univ.of Toronto
>
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