Klarinet Archive - Posting 000186.txt from 2004/07

From: Joseph Wakeling <joseph.wakeling@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] For Ginger: clarinetto in La
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2004 17:54:09 -0400

dnleeson wrote:

>He played very nicely until the conductor asked him
>for a few measures of the slow movement of K. 622. He played it
>beautifully on a B-flat clarinet because that is what he had with
>him. Later, the conductor made a comment about being absolutely
>unwilling to hire a clarinetist who would play 622 on a B-flat
>clarinet.
>
>

It sounds like this conductor had his own little "tea ceremony" he would
carry out with any prospective musicians. The sort of thing that would
be done with prospective students at Buddhist monasteries: the Master
invites the novice in and offers him tea. The novice is supposed to
refuse and offer to serve the Master. If he doesn't, he is kicked out
of the school, because he has shown the Master insufficient respect by
permitting the Master to serve him.

... Which I think is pretty stupid, because there's a big difference
between playing K622 on a Bb instrument in an audition or a study
situation (especially when *requested* to do so), and playing it on a Bb
in concert. I mean, where do you draw the line? Should we refuse to
hire musicians who play K622 at auditions without using a basset
clarinet? What if we spontaneously request them to play it and they
don't have a basset clarinet with them?

-- Joe

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