Klarinet Archive - Posting 000343.txt from 2003/11

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: Re: [kl] Notation - 'swell' vs accent
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 18:13:52 -0500

On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 12:05:17 -0800 (PST), ormondtoby@-----.net said:

> Other than trying to place a "<" and ">" above a single note, is there
> an accepted notation for a note that is intended to begin (say) 'p' and
> then 'swell' to 'mp' and then drop back down to 'p' before the next note
> is attacked? Since a wedge usually extends over several notes, placing
> two wedges over a single note is confusing, especially if other notes in
> the same measure have true accents.
>
> Or is this sort of thing considered to be 'micromanaging', and is left
> to the performer's discretion?

In string playing, such notation above a shortish note meant 'special',
perhaps 'espressivo' -- and that often meant 'vibrato'.

Therefore, for example in the first bar of the Schumann Fantasiestucke for
clarinet, it means 'special', to be interpreted in some way. Thinking of it
as increased weight or increased density of sound might be one approach.
Thinking of it as a movement of the barline might be another.

Thinking of it just as a crescendo plus diminuendo is unrealistic on the
timescale involved, even if something of that *sort* of attack may be
involved.

On the other hand, if you're talking about longer notes, then a hairpin up
and down is a perfectly normal notation.

Incidentally, I don't know what you mean by a 'true' accent. The
interpretation of *any* accent notation is always highly context-dependent.

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
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