Klarinet Archive - Posting 000085.txt from 2000/11

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Self-criticism
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 08:49:43 -0500

At 08:03 AM 11/02/2000 EST, you wrote:
>Roger,
>(1) Would you like to tell us what other two are?
>(2) Do you think there's a case for recommending what you regard as an
>example of a "bad" recording for just that reason?
>(3) Not trying to stir up trouble but do any of your recommendations fit (2)?
>Tim.

Tim,

Recordings reflect personal tastes - and I recommend recordings for various
reasons - and sometimes the recordings are different depending on the
student. But, to answer your questions,

Two other recommended:
1. David Shifrin with Mostly Mozart
2. Robert Marcellus with Clevland

I often recommend Charles Neidich's recording with Orpheus, although there
are things about it that I wouldn't do. Still - I really enjoy aspects of
the performance - and his is a "fresh" version for me.

I like Shifrin's recording, although I've heard him play live and like live
better - this is because he inserts eingangs when he performs live - but
his recording only has the one in the second movement. Also, there is a
real difference in sound from the middle of the concert hall as opposed to
listening to a CD. I like the live sound better - especiallly when the
sound projects well, as it does in Shifrin's case.

I like Marcellus' because, while it is not necessarily "authentic" (does
not employ the extended clarinet), many students play the Concerto on a
standard A clarinet, and most will audition for orchestras on the standard
A clarinet. For that reason, I think it is good to have a recording of the
piece played on that instrument. I also think Robert Marcellus has
qualities in his playing that are desireable to immitate.

Second question - is there an example of a bad recording? I don't own any
of the Mozart (unless you count the versions from when I was in 7th and 8th
grade - not bad for that age, but certainly not something I would share too
often!!!!), so I can't comment on that! ; ) As a general rule, I don't
recommend recordings that I feel have undesireable qualities. First, there
are just so many good ones out there, why not spend the money on those?
Second, CDs are still expensive for students - especially classical CDs, so
I would prefer they buy one two great recordings rather than one great and
one questionable. They can learn so much more from two really great but
different recordings!

A comment about "bad" recordings - the only ones I find fairly useless are
those in which the pitch is not good. Otherwise, I can usually find
something good in most recordings. Still, there are recordings with good
pitch that I haven't found a way to enjoy yet - a few of Concertino by von
Weber and one or two of the Brahms Sonatas that just don't ring my bell.
And they are played by well known artists who will remain nameless in my post!

Third question - the recommendations I have given do not reflect any
personal opinion of a "bad" recording. Were you fishing there???!! LOL

Hope this helps?

Sincerely,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director, Symphonic Winds
Advisor, IWU Recording Services
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
(309) 556-3268

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