Klarinet Archive - Posting 000663.txt from 2000/05

From: "Frederick S. Sterns" <fssterns@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Related to...Bass Clarinet, Transpositions
Date: Sat, 13 May 2000 17:06:32 -0400

Marcia Bundi sais, in part...

> One of the UM professors described us as "paper-trained."

...and Richard Bush replied, in part...

> All kinds of good music can be
> created by those who are "paper-trained" AND by those who can create musical
> excitement within a nano-second.

...and Richard's point is certainly valid...there's no doubt in my mind that
European classical music and American classical music [read: 'jazz"] both
have many remarkable performers who...I hope...would be appreciated fully by
any musician, whatever his or her personal preferences.

> I can't help but ask you because "One of [your] UM professors" voices such
> strong opinions, why isn't he either playing with a major symphony or
> turning the world on fire with his great improv?

...one possible explanation for his "paper trained" aphorism may be that
this professor is, among other things, capable of playing jazz but doesn't
understand why that art form is given little if any respect by many [most?]
who work exclusively with written music.

...I must admit I'm sensitive [overly sensitive?] to various forms of
classical music" snobbery which often reflects a distain for jazz and
assumes it's not as "good" as European music. It also seems to assume
"classical" musicians are better trained and, therefore, on the whole
"better" [period!] And of course, that's false also!

...one example of this "snobbery" I mention comes up regularly when our
concert band [where I have a bass clarinet chair] does Tin Pan Alley tunes,
Sammy Nestico arrangements, or other works to be played with a "jazz feel."
The majority of the players have never taken the time to listen to
recordings of these tunes, show no interest in learning how to "swing," and
act offended when told they're not playing the music correctly.

..."classical" musicians who pride themselves on being able to reproduce a
work according to its composer's intentions certainly should be able to
master a jazz conception...but they have to be willing to try!

Sorry for the lecture...but that's certainly my take on the state of things
in the music world ...Fred Sterns

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