Klarinet Archive - Posting 000489.txt from 2001/04

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Descriptions of 19th Century Performances
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 09:36:17 -0400

Sorry to take so long getting to this query.

After you read some of GBS's Corno di Bassetto reviews, you should turn to
Berlioz's "Evenings in the Orchestra" (sometimes translated as "Nights in the
Orchestra") which is insightful and wildly funny. Berlioz was a great critic
and an excellent writer. The book describes performances (mostly opera) in
the voices of orchestra members. When good music is played, they talk about
that. When bad music is played, they tell "war stories." An Advanced Book
Exchange <http://www.abebooks.com/> search on Berlioz as author found a dozen
copies, several of them around $10-15. I think it's essential reading.

Berlioz also wrote a 2-volume Autobiography, which is more serious in tone
but also more comprehensive in describing the musical scene in the mid-19th
century. Any university music library should have both the original and a
translation. ABE also lists copies.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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