Klarinet Archive - Posting 000117.txt from 2001/12

From: "Robert Moody" <LetsReason@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] A couple things...
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 00:14:10 -0500

I was fortunate to have been invited by a cello player friend of mine to
share in (observe) the practice of the cello ensemble here at Shenandoah.
Though I had heard of them, I never really thought to attend a rehearsal. I
am pleased and inspired to have made it tonight. What a wonderful,
absolutely wonderful, and rejuvinating experience.

Julian Tryczynski is the professor of cello here at Shenandoah University
and is always an instant favorite with not only his students, but almost
anyone who has the opportunity to spend time with him. He is a Polish
immigrant and a fabulous performer. He was the first (and only) live
performer that has brought me to tears with their playing. Truly inspiring.

They consist of 11 cellists and play a wonderful menu of musical styles.
Their practice today merely, and strongly, reaffirmed something that I was
exposed to and taught years ago. Master your instrument (8 of the 11 were
Masters students, none of them American!) so you can play the music. There
is so much more to that statement than meets the
eye...er...ear...uh...mind?? These students, and Mr. T, as he is known,
KNOW music. They master their instrument so that it does not get in the way
of expressing the MUSIC they already know "inside".

What inspired me, and rejuvinated me, was that these students stayed until
after 11: PM tonight and only left because they were LITERALLY falling
asleep at their instruments. They LOVED playing together. And the music
they made, EVEN WHEN IT WAS NOT ACCURATE, was wonderful. The MUSIC came out
of them so naturally, so innately that even if they missed a note, it came
across as funny because the expression was so "there". It is as if the
MEANT to play a wrong note, the music was so "there".

I found myself wanting to race home to just practice trying to recreate, not
even the pieces they practice, but just the WAY they played. This just
seems so far away from what I encounter in clarinet players from my overall
experience. In comparison it seems to me that we, as a family, restrict
ourselves and often criticize other players who go outside of our
self-imposed restrictions. "That is a spread tone!" "That attack was too
harsh!" Etc.

For example, I am NOT a fan of Emma Johnson's tone, her concept of sound,
etc. But wow! she is a musician. Wonderful player. On the other hand,
there are some players who have a beautiful sound and absolute control over
the instrument sound making process (IMHO), but bored me to death in the
same manner.

I don't know exactly what I'm trying to put forth, express or say. But I do
know this...it won't hurt us a clarinet players to spend some SERIOUS time
and effort...listening...pondering...immersing ourselves in the outstanding
playing of other family instruments. Listen to Rostropovich (sp?), listen
to Stern, listen to Pavarotti, listen to whomever of whatever instrument.
You may never "sound" like a cello, but does it really hurt to try and
"play" like one?

At this point in my development, I'm sure I would not be any worse of if I
spent a full year not listening to one CD of another clarinet player, but
spent the same time studying/listening to great violinists, cellists,
pianists and vocalists.

Just a thought...yours?

Robert

---------------------------------------------------------------------