Klarinet Archive - Posting 000495.txt from 2001/09

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Klarinet List's purpose
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 12:24:52 -0400

Kelly:

Two points:

1. Just because I don't live in New York, and you do, doesn't make this "incident" of more interest to you. My wife flies to New York City weekly for business meetings. She had a client whose offices were in the WTC, and she has been there innumerable times. My business travel has been more focused on California (software-related), but I have had many NYC clients as well, including TIAA-CREF and Deutsche Bank.

However, this goes way beyond you or I. This incident touches everyone in the U.S. and, in fact, the entire free world. War has been declared on our way of life, our values, our freedoms.

2. I too have clarinet related items. Here are some things going through the back of my mind:

- How can a mouthpiece which sounds so good at home, sound empty and shallow in our orchestra's rehearsal room. Is the room at fault, or my studio?

- How does one deal with a conductor who refuses to address the fact that the third horn, first trumpet, and second trombone play miserably sharp.

- Is it worthwhile to invest time, attention, and energy in mouthpieces made from Cocus wood or Cocobolo?

- What do you do in "La Forza del Destino" Overture when the strings insist on playing the three sixteenth note motif as triplets? Accomodate them, or insist on playing it rhythmically, especially when the conductor sings it to them incorrectly? (I'm going to have a quiet talk with the comcertmaster).

- What is the best reverse-cone taper in a barrel? Should the barrel start out at 15 mm and taper linearly to 14.76? What effects will I get if I taper a barrel more severly. Or should I do a two stage taper, as some do?

- Why do Zonda reeds sound good for awhile, but then quickly loose any "core" sound?

- I need to put some new pads on both my Bb and A. What type of pads are best? Are Valentino pads appropriate for a "pro" model horn?

Believe it or not, all these things have been swirling around in the back of my mind, and will be addressed, and maybe some of them I will bring up on this list.

But - all these things are dwarfed by the fact that my (our) country has been attacked, innocent people slaughtered, and our self-proclaimed enemies dance in the streets!

Somehow, this preoccupies my mind, and makes the choice of a Vandoren over a Zonda, or a sharp horn player, a little less critical.

I have literally been unable to work since Tuesday. I have been sick to my stomach. I have cried for the families of those murdered. I am mad. I want to cry out.
I want to fight back.

So, I guess I am.

But, I will get back to work, and I will passionately discuss clarinet appropriate topics again. But I will not forget.

Kelly, I apologise for being snippy last night. My (and I think all of our) emotions remain very raw.

Enough said.

Walter

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