Klarinet Archive - Posting 000969.txt from 2000/05

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: Re: [kl] Playing when ill
Date: Sun, 21 May 2000 00:57:11 -0400

On Sat, 20 May 2000 17:34:07 EDT, LeliaLoban@-----.com said:

> I admire people's ability to play with raging fevers and so forth, but
> I admire more the people who care enough about other people to *stay
> home* when sick. How did the other musicians enjoy sharing the stage
> with disease vectors? How many people who share the air with you
> might be pregnant, or might have immune system disorders, or might
> have fragile children at home, or might need to be at their best for
> work and performances just as important as yours?

Good point, Lelia. I don't think it usually occurs that someone plays
when they're really ill in that sort of way, though obviously the
possibility does arise on occasion. And then it's worth considering
whether they should play or be replaced, from considerations both of
their own well-being *and* that of others. I've seen all varieties of
solution to that problem -- we had a viola playing second clarinet in a
period instrument performance of a Schubert Symphony in the Vienna
Musikverein a few years ago. Very authentic in its way, I'm sure!

I think that what I was after by mentioning the subject was a quite
general realisation, though. People have sometimes said to me, before I
play, "what's important is that you enjoy yourself!" To which I always
reply, under my breath, "yes -- unless I don't, of course." Because I
know that the part of me that plays well is more independent of what I
think and feel than it seems to be, and that it's unwise to go looking
for enjoyment when as a matter of fact enjoyment isn't there.

Better to go for getting the job done. This is especially clear when
you feel bad for another reason than the fact of your performing,
because you can separate the two things.

But it's still true when the two are more closely connected.

Of course, when enjoyment is there, that's great! (You can still screw
up by starting to get too interested in enjoying yourself...;-)

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

... No man is an island. But some of us are long peninsulas.

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