Klarinet Archive - Posting 000228.txt from 2004/04

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Favorite music
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 21:57:40 -0400

Ormondtoby Montoya wrote:

>Patricia Smith wrote:
>
>
>
>>and [I] hope I never have to play any of his
>>stuff again (Music to "The Magic Flute" and
>>his other operas excepted). I don't mind
>>LISTENING to other players playing Mozart
>>[snip] Seriously, though, I just find other
>>music more enjoyable to play, personally.
>>
>>
>
>I assume you mean that, if you're sitting in an orchestra or large ensemble, you can't hear the other instruments in their intended balance, and therefore whatever portion of the composition that you *can* hear may not sound pleasing to you?
>
>But to discuss solos or duets or small ensembles --- and I've wondered from time to time if we listen with a different 'pleasure center' while playing, compared to listening without playing; and perhaps we enjoy the sound of a composition in one 'mode' of listening, but not in the other?
>
>
Hmmm, this is an interesting question. Very interesting.

For me the answers are yes and no, not surprisingly. With the operas,
part of the reason I do find them enjoyable to play is 1) I haven't
"played them to death" nor analyzed them to death; and 2) I find opera a
lot of fun dramatically; I ADORE Rossini's works, mostly because I was
introduced to them via high school band playing transcriptions of the
overtures, and got into them that way! I find the melodrama just lots
of fun! OTOH, for sheer playing enjoyment, as well as compositional
techniques utilized, I simply enjoy playing more modern works, as
opposed to those of the period of Mozart. Copland's Concerto is also a
favorite of mine - though I imagine plenty of people also think that has
been beaten to death by now as well. I enjoy the types of harmonies and
rhythms late 19th and early 20th century composers employ, and so my
personal preferences. Guilty as charged, in this respect.

I do think that while playing in "work" mode, I am going to "enjoy" the
music on a certain level a bit less - I'm more likely to concentrate on
aspects such as blending with the other instruments in a particular
manner, achieving the particular tone color the composer wanted, or
(most likely) attempting to perform in such a way as not to gain the
attention of a conductor who is likely to throw a tantrum my way.

Patricia Smith

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