Klarinet Archive - Posting 000170.txt from 2002/10

From: EClarinet@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: Brahms Clarinet Sonata No. 2
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2002 11:07:43 -0400

In a message dated 10/4/02 3:06:21 AM EST, Tom writes:

<< On the surface, the clarinet part appears fairly straight forward and
simple, not having a lot of difficult runs and passages. I believe the range
is limited to three octaves (e to e) also. I would have to check, but this
again makes this piece appear fairly simple by modern standards.

However, I feel that both of the Brahms's sonatas are not about playing
notes, but of creating moods. I didn't want to play this piece at first,
wanting to play something with more "show." I've changed my mind though.
There is a delicacy in the way the melody and variations play out with the
piano. If played poorly, this subtlety will be lost. I also feel that this
piece in not about how fast you can play, or how loud, it goes to the very
heart of melody and variation with romantic and tender appeal.
>>

Dear Tom--
Your post brought back memories of the first time I worked on this piece,
when I was 20 years old. I did not appreciate then what was so special about
it, because I preferred the flashier music of Weber. That's normal for that
age. My teacher, who was 30, kept telling me that I didn't 'get it' yet, but
that it would grow on me.

He was quite right. The next time I worked on it, I was 29, and I just loved
playing it. I started to understand what it was about. I think what you say
about creating moods is very apt. There are so many different things going
on in the piece, too, and they really have very little to do with technique.

I next played it when I was 37, at a faculty recital, and it was like I had
never played it before! As I matured as a musician, my ideas about the
music had changed, and also the pianist I was working with didn't play it
like anyone else. That matters in this piece, because it really is a duet.
It was very satisfying to play it then, and I look forward to the next
opportunity I have to see what else I've learned about it.

They say that Brahms' sonatas are 'autumnal', that they were written near the
end of his life, and need to be interpreted by artists who are in similar
places in their lives. I haven't reached the autumn of my life yet, but I
know that the piece, like all great music, will continue to grow and have new
meaning for me as I mature even more.

Elise Curran
age 42 ;-)
Orlando, FL

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