Klarinet Archive - Posting 000758.txt from 2001/09

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bernstein Sonata rant
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 14:12:00 -0400

Latinish "second movement?"
I thought there were ,in effect, *three* movements.
I think David H. hits the nail on the head - it's a clearly "promising"
work by a composer who achieved some pretty impressive things in his
compositional maturity.
A British view from Roger S.

In message <76.102b24cf.28dd02ea@-----.org writes:
>
> In a message dated 9/21/01 4:14:06 PM, klarinet-digest-help@-----.org
> writes:
>
> << Sorry, 'fatuous' for the Bernstein Sonata is a bit strong. I'm just tired
> of people making uninformed comments about the music which I've made my
> life's work, especially if I read it at 7.30 am before I've had my coffee.
> The Bernstein is a student work, however (albeit the work of a student
> genius). The kind of Latinish second movement is unconvincing. It's a very
> derivative, pale attempt at the Great American style which was so vibrant at
> the time, and it's weak Bernstein as well. I can understand why it's
> programmed so often, especially for student recitals (the technical and
> musical demands are reasonable) and there isn't enough of clarinet music
> from this style which can be played by clarinet and piano (unless one counts
> the piano reduction of the Copland concerto, which is technically harder to
> play). Of course, your mileage may vary.
> >>
>
> Well, perhaps when the British admit the weaknesses of some of their "great"
> composers and start programming them less, we Americans will do the same. I
> wish our music critics and magazines were as supportive of American composers
> and their music as the British critics are of theirs. And the British record
> labels too.
>
> To be churlish of towards this one American work, especially considering how
> popular it is with audiences (who perhaps should count for something in all
> this) seems unfair. Do you really thing that the sonatas and sonatinas of
> Malcolm Arnold, Horovitz, Bax, Stanford, etc. or the Finzi Bagatelles are so
> much better? For my 2 cents, the Bernstein sonata is a better work than any
> of these and I also think Bernstein was a better composer than any of these
> as well.
>
> You call the 2nd movement 'derivative.' Derivative of whom, exactly? To me
> it's more deriviative of weaker composers who came later.
>
> I am not trying to disqualify your right to dislike any work. I am just
> wondering what other works you hold this particular work up against when you
> find it so wanting.
>
> David Hattner, NYC
> www.northbranchrecords.com
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

--
Left hand, off land, I hear the lark ascend,
His rash-fresh re-winded new-skeined score
In crisps of curl off wild winch, whirl, and pour
And pelt music, till none's to spill nor spend

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