Klarinet Archive - Posting 000492.txt from 2003/07

From: EClarinet@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: von Weber Concerto #2 - Polacca Tempo
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 12:25:18 -0400

In a message dated 7/17/03 3:16:43 AM EST, Gene writes:

<< I am working from a 1939 Carl Fischer edition that specifies the Polacca
tempo at a quarter note at 100. Last night I heard a recording by Charles
Niedich (sp.?) in which the tempo was somewhere between 140 and 160. (I
didn't have a metronome handy while listening.) I was amazed by his speed
and technique although from my amateur perspective the speed didn't
contribute anything to the musical quality of the performance. In the
modern parlance, you might say it had speed but no soul.

I realize that a Carl Fischer edition is not the last word in music
publishing. Any suggestions concerning a better edition?

My main question is: At what tempo do you prefer to play this movement?
>>

SO glad you asked, as this is one of my pet peeves. On every recording I
have ever heard, the clarinetist is ignoring Weber's tempo indication. Weber
says 'alla polacca', which means tempo of a polacca or polonnaise, which is, as
Roger's post hints at, a 'stately' Polish dance. I've actually done the dance,
and it has a leap-hop- step movement that doesn't work if you go too fast.

Why are these people ignoring the tempo indication? Either they have not
done their homework and don't know what a polacca is, and/or they don't care, and
want to go like a bat out of hell! Granted, it is easier on the breathing to
go faster, but the character of the music is changed. IMO, this piece is
usually chosen as a technical display piece, which is why you so rarely hear
anyone play it expressively.

Elise Curran
Orlando

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