Klarinet Archive - Posting 000356.txt from 2002/06

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Philadelphia Orchestra Audition Finals
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 22:24:05 -0400

Glen=A0Shannon wrote:

>If I were a professional player I don't think I could have the stamina
>to sit through rehearsals if I can't even keep myself interested in the
>music. But I'm not, so I'm off the hook. How do you stand it?
>
As a performer, one's obligation is to try to ferret out what the
composer had in mind, and convey it to the audience. Although you're
entitled to your opinion about the quality and worth of the music, as a
performer, you can't let it color your obligation to the music.

That said, I've often played pieces that were so obtuse even after many
rehearsals that I've wondered what an audience will make of it in one
hearing. For me, a good piece grabs your attention on some level at first
hearing, and entices you back to hear it again. Really good pieces keep
giving you new insights time after time.

on 6/10/02 11:01 PM, William Wright wrote:
>
>Sometimes they can't! I assume that everyone has attended at least one
>'Big Name' concert in which it was painfully obvious that the musicians
>were totally bored and just wanted to get it over with and go home (or
>get back on the bus or whatever).
>
>This year, I attended one such clarinet concerto. It was *SO VERY*
>disappointing to hear the musicians play in a "let's-get-this-over-with"
>manner. Next year, the same people are playing K.622, and, despite my
>interest in world class clarinet, I have decided not to buy a ticket.

I agree with this - I've been to plenty of performances where the players
were obviously bored and showing it, and I'd probably choose not to
subject myself to that again, but...

>I've heard the concerto played in live performance now, and played
>properly, and I'm unwilling to risk corrupting my memory of it.

...IMO there's no such thing as a "hear and die" definitive performance.
There are other equally valid performances of these masterworks waiting
for you to hear - performances which may alter your take on these famous
pieces.

David

David Niethamer
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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