Klarinet Archive - Posting 000199.txt from 2004/02

From: "John P. Varineau" <jvarineau@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Multiphonics in general
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 16:51:23 -0500

This discussion of multiphonics reminds me of Iannis Xenakis' "Charisma".
Towards the end of this very short piece he writes a low E, and then
two and three octaves above that low E, with square shaped notes
(denoting harmonics), two more e's.

I was very frustrated with Xenakis because of his apparent flaunting of
the clarinet's inablility to overblow at the octave and yet he wrote
these darned octave harmonics! I was somewhat comforted when I heard a
recording of the work where the performer was no more successful getting
the written pitches than I. What Xenakis wanted is still a mystery to
me.

This also reminds me of an anecdote about Xenakis. He is also a
mathmetician. Apparently at math conventions, when he is discussed,
mathmeticians freely admit that, although he wasn't a very good at
mathmatics, he was a fine composer. At music conventions, apparently
musicians mention that although he wasn't a very good composer, he was an
excellent mathmetician!

John Varineau
Associate Conductor, Grand Rapids Symphony
Conductor, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony

The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org