Klarinet Archive - Posting 000336.txt from 2002/01

From: "Rien Stein" <rstein@-----.nl>
Subj: [kl] Re: Performance from memory
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2002 19:20:09 -0500

When a member of the Royal Windband orchestra of De Bilt I participated in
three times in their show-off afternoons. The first time was a disaster: the
chairman thought playing a transcribed Paganini caprice was a perfect idea.
Although I had mastered it, I was too nervous to even bring forth good
sound. The next year I participated again, playing Spooners chalumeau sonata
for the low register. Can you think of anything easier? I dropped the
instrument, when playing the second part of it!

The next year I was convinced to participate again. I chose for a concerto
by Leopold Kozeluh. Learned to play it entirely from memory. But when P-day
(playing-day) arrived, I was happy to have the sheet music with me.

However since that time I always learn difficult passages by rote. I cannot
play "on my ears", as many fine musicians can, many of whom cannot play from
sheet. But it helps me to do the right things. And I think it is not a shame
to see a professional play from the written music.

Actually, Jo Juda, in his book "Jantje Paganini" tells that he was assumed
to perform the Reger violin concerto -- at that time he was the concert
master of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by the legendary
Eduard van Beinum -- and decided to play it from memory. It was the worst
decision he ever made in his life, even though he had learned to play it
from memory.

Of course I am not a professional clarinet player, but just a mediocre
amateur. And my considerations to do something in a specific way will always
be related to the inability to do things that to professional players almost
are an automatism. A friend of mine -- Paolo de gaspari -- will wednesday in
a week make his final examination in the Rotterdam conservatory. He showed
me when he visited us the last time the music he would play on the exam.
Some of these pieces I think I can master, but he will also play a piece by
Donatoni. When i saw that one, I already got tired reading it, specially
when imagining the right fingerings on every note. Paolo played it to us, it
sounded quite convincing. Then I took my claribas, and tried one single bar.
It sounded, well, horrible.

So, I mean, my opinion is just what you give for it (2P? thanks indeed).

But it helps to memorise difficult passages.

Rien

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