Klarinet Archive - Posting 000637.txt from 2002/06

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Vibrato REDUX
Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 14:38:54 -0400

Bill, I know both recordings and I think you have touched on the very
essence of what really troubled the American clarinetists; i.e., Kell's
rubato. I happen not to agree that it didn't work on the Mozart, but
that's just one view. I always found it fascinating and enthralling and
I am very pleased that you posted on this topic.

It is correct to say that the criticisms against Kell were directed at
his vibrato, but like you I think it was more his rubato than anything
else. Further, the criticisms against him were ill founded in any case.

He was a magnificent player.

Dan

William Wright wrote:
>
> <><> Daniel Leeson wrote:
> It was this attitude towards vibrato playing that ruined Kell's American
> career more than anything else
>
> ....and/or his rubato ??
>
> Have you ever listened, one immediately after the other, to his versions
> of (1) Brahms, "Busch String Quartet: Brahms Horn Trio & Clarinet
> Quintet" and (2) Mozart, "Reginald Kell Plays Mozart"?
>
> Listening to them, one immediately after the other, is an *unusually*
> revealing exercise because (imo) the heavy rubato works in the Brahms
> recording but not in the Mozart. I experience moments of motion
> sickness when I listen to Kell's Mozart, but I enjoy his version of
> Brahms. (I suppose this is another symptom of how I experience music
> as an extension of my other senses.)
>
> The effect highlights a deep difference between the two composers'
> music. I'm hoping that you have both recordings and that you can offer
> more comment after you've listened to them, one immediately after the
> other.
>
> Cheers,
> Bill
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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** Dan Leeson **
** leeson0@-----.net **
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