Klarinet Archive - Posting 000526.txt from 2002/07

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Music the makes you Wince
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 19:04:35 -0400

At 02:45 PM 7/19/2002 -0700, Gary Truesdail wrote:
>Someone once wrote that that Bolero was written as a scoring and
>conducting exercise. The main theme, accompanying rhythmic figures and
>tempo were to not change. The exercise was how to increase emotional
>intensity by using only dynamics which naturally included the addition
>of instruments as you progressed through the piece.
>
>Any further comments?

According to the liner notes for Telarc DG 10052, "Bolero" was written at
the request of Mme. Ida Rubenstein, a Russian ballerina. It was first
performed at the Paris Opera in late November, 1928, with choreography by
Nijinsky's sister Bronislava. To the immense surprise of the composer, it
went on to become quite popular. He considered it a huge joke, a
composition made of a "crescendo on a commonplace melody in the genre of
Padilla." He later wrote: "I am particularly desirous that there should be
no misunderstanding about this work. It constitutes an experiment in a
very special and limited direction and should not be suspected of aiming at
achieving anything other or more than what it actually does...I have
carried out exactly what I intended and it is for the listeners to take it
or leave it."

Apparently audiences all over the world have elected to take it, and even I
could not turn it off when I stumbled across the New York Philharmonic
broadcast last night during a channel check. I was particularly fascinated
by the Eb clarinettist. Apparently it makes HIM wince, too, or at least
his face was quite animated during his solo.

Bill Hausmann bhausmann1@-----.net
451 Old Orchard Drive
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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