Klarinet Archive - Posting 000232.txt from 2004/04

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: Favorite music
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 08:52:56 -0400

Kelly wrote:

>My 20th Century Composition teacher in college used to tell us
>that we shouldn't listen to things we like, but only things we
>don't, so we can expand our horizons. Although I do think we
>should expand our horizons by doing things we wouldn't normally
>do, there is a huge repertoire for clarinet, so even if we only
>did the things we liked, we can still have a world of musical
>expansion. I fall in the middle of the two worlds (like most of
>us) and think we should do enough of both to enrich our lives
>while also keeping us happy in our musical pursuits.
>
>

Hmmm, now Karaoke is something I have yet to try. I should try that
next time I need to rid myself of some pesky telemarketer on the phone!
(j/k)

Seriously, I think there is a good deal of merit in the approach your
composition instructor suggested. I found, however, that, my training
often involved a good deal too much of the earlier music, and way too
much of the standard repertoire, and not nearly enough of the music that
is not well known, or universally adored. I believe, and still do, that
this is, in many ways, has been a dreadful deficiency in my musical
background. It was only in my latter years of university that I was
blessed with, among others, the tutelage of a fine professor of music
theory and history, Dr. Dika Newlin, whose approach to teaching modern
composers (primarily early twentieth century) introduced me to modern
music in such a way that I not only learned how to listen to these works
critically, but learned to truly enjoy them!

I'd never say to stop teaching Beethoven, Haydn, and other earlier
composers, by any means! I am finding that any time a person makes such
an emotional statement on this list, s/he can rest assured they will
elicit an emotional response. *VBEG* I didn't mean to say what I ended
up saying. (Me and my BIG TYPING FINGERS!) What I actually should have
said was that I'm tired of trying to play the Mozart Concerto at what
will always, IMO, be a mediocre level, when I know there is other music
out there that I play and interpret much better. I'd rather leave the
Mozart to other clarinettists who do a MUCH MUCH finer job of it, and no
doubt, always will. *another VBEG - and I will, if possible, get a front
seat to hear them perform!*

As for what I personally like to do - well, I think my absolutely
favorite thing to do on clarinet is probably to work on the most
difficult thing I can possibly work on, technically, and make it sound
as good as I possibly can. The only thing that ties with, is, perhaps
playing something that is extrememly expressive and, at the same time,
very challenging in the area of breathing. The more difficult the music
- the happier I am. I think the most FRUSTRATING thing for me, is when
I am hampered by equipment which simply will not ALLOW me to do what I
want to do. But, then, aren't we all, in some way or another? *G*

Patricia Smith

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