Klarinet Archive - Posting 000677.txt from 2003/06

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <patricia@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Middle Eastern Composers; was, Political postings...
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 22:40:05 -0400

Feodor wrote:

>Politics is an integral part of our lives. You may be more or less
>effected by it, but you ARE effected. Next time somebody will tell you
>that clarinet pieces written by Iraqi composers are politically
>incorrect and you will turn around and say OK???
>
>
I won't answer for anyone but myself here, but I find music that is
written derived from Middle Eastern folk music FASCINATING. There is an
entire musical tradition that, I feel, has barely begun to be touched
amongst most of us ordinary average Janes and Joes (If I may be so
bold). Anyhow, I'd be interested to know some names and works by modern
composers from ANY country in the Middle East, or Africa, so I might be
able to broaden my listening palate, at least.

Ever since studying Barto`k in university years ago, and his recordings
of folk music, as well as listening to composers such as Messaien, I've
been interested in how composers can bring the melodic and harmonic
materials of their particular cultural heritage into the writing for
"western" instrumentation, without compromising either cultural or
religious values. Maybe I will be an ethnomusicologist when I grow up,
but to be honest, you've brought up a topic I'd like to see explored.

Has anyone on the list played such pieces, especially in the last few
years, that they feel deserves a wider exposure amongst particularly
American clarinetists, but also others in the primarily English speaking
countries? What was the piece, who was the composer, what was the
relative level of difficulty and musicianship required? Instrumentation?
Any that utilizes "ethnic" instruments - in other words, instruments not
normally utilized in symphony orchestras or traditional bands? Do you
have any music that you highly recommend to other clarinetists? I also
am interested in music that is influenced by cultural musics of the
Americas, as well, but that might be for another topic.

Patricia Smith (who hopes she hasn't opened a can of worms. Contrary to
popular belief, worms are NOT greasy, and they do NOT slide down easy! I
refuse to go eat them! :p)

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