Klarinet Archive - Posting 000631.txt from 2000/07

From: "Jim Lytthans" <lytthans@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Brahms Sonatas
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2000 13:22:54 -0400

Regarding playing the Brahms Sonatas at a young age:

I've adjudicated many times at solo festivals and cringe when I hear a 12
year old clarinet player try to perform the slow movements from the Brahms
sonatas. Once in a while someone of that age group comes along with some
understanding of the mood of piece, but that is rare. Sure the notes are
fairly easy, but understanding interpretation take maturity. Someone
commented that these sonatas are more difficult than flashy Weber, and I
hardily agree. I performed both the sonatas in high school, but I really
didn't understand what Brahms what trying to say. Neither did my teacher
then. Sure the notes were there and I picked up Superiors at festivals, but
it took many years (and many of the heartaches and trials of adulthood)
before I felt I knew the sonatas. Reading about Brahms helped, too, because
I acquired a knowledge of the man behind the music. Brahms was very much
afraid of the Industrial Age and all the new mechanized wonders of the late
19th century, and seemed to long for a simpler age (don't we all?). The
sonatas became close friends of mine when I understood the composer's life
and trials, and connected them with my own adult life.
Such is the nature of musical growth.

BTW, Lynette and I had a grand time in Norman, OK, the weather being what it
was. No tornados, at least! I picked up a set of rosewood Patricloas (Bb,
Eb & A) and are enjoying them immensely. Great workmanship and a gorgeous
sound. I have the Bb and Eb in my possession, but the A had return to
Italy. The factory rep said that he was required by US Customs to export
all the instruments brought in. My new A is, apparently, an illegal alien,
and so must be shipped from Italy to International Music Supply with an
immigrant visa ;^). Lisa will then ship it to me in a double case. The
Patricola factory is making be a custom Bb/Eb case at no charge. Nice
people to deal with!

P. S. Wasn't Allesandro Carbonare wonderful, especially with the broken
clarinet. He pulled that funny stunt in Paris, too.
------------------------
Jim Lytthans
Principal Clarinet - La Mirada SO,
Claremont Symphonic Winds,
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~dooley/csw.html
Pomona Concert Band
Member Local 47, A. F. of M.
Home Page -
http://www.geocities.com/klarineter

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