Klarinet Archive - Posting 000581.txt from 2002/06

From: Mark Thiel <mark.thiel@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] A couple of reviews
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 10:04:10 -0400

Brent Eresman wrote:
. . .
>Some time back, Bear Woodson offered to let folks on the list try out a
>couple of scores he had recently written if they would post their comments
>on the list. These pieces are: Trio for Flute, Oboe and Clarinet and Suite
>for 2 clarinets (arranged from a Suite for 2 bassoons).
. . .

>The Duo Suite is also in 5 movements, and i confess that it has been a bit
>longer since i played this one, and i remember less about it. I played it
>with a member of the local symphony orchestra. What i do remember is that
>there are moments where we said, "That was really neat!" and also moments
>where we said, "What was *that*?" Some of the latter, as i suggested
>before, may be due to our unfamiliarity to the music and its not being
>strictly melodic in nature. I think that given some additional time with
>it, we would grow to better understand the music and appreciate it.

>Anybody else tried either of these pieces?

Yes, I've played his duo, on bass clarinets, and I reviewed it on the bass clarinet
list a while back. I pretty much agree with Brent -- mostly enjoyable
music of the modern but non-grating sort. A lot of variety and quite
playble on clarinet if not particularly idiomtic for it. A nice thing about
the duo is that the voices are equal and neither player is stuck on the
bottom (or on the top) all the time.

It is a piece we intend to revisit when we get a chance. Of course what my "regular"
clarinet/sax quintet plays depends on who shows up. Since there are 2^5
sub-ensembles (including the one that plays only John Cage's quieter works)
it may be a while before this duo comes up again.

Mark Thiel

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

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org