Klarinet Archive - Posting 000375.txt from 2004/08

From: <tony-w@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Copland concerto and "swinging"
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2004 05:08:39 -0400

I believe it may have been pretty naff (irresponsible) of all American
clarinettists` not to have asked Mr Copland himself what *he* had in mind
for performance.
Tony W.

----- Original Message -----
From: Tony Pay <tony.p@-----.org>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 12:00 AM
Subject: Re: [kl] Copland concerto and "swinging"

> On 12 Aug, joseph.wakeling@-----.net wrote:
>
> > Tony Pay wrote:
> >
> > > I hate, for example, that I have to use the argument that Benny
Goodman
> > > played 'straight' in his recording the passage in the Copland concerto
> > > that many players nowadays 'swing' -- possibly in order to give
> > > themselves spurious 'jazz' credentials.
> > >
> >
> > I actually think that Benny Goodman plays it *too* straight; it feels to
me
> > as if he's scared of the fact that there are notes in front of him that
he
> > "has" to play---although there are many marvellous things about his
> > performance.
>
> There are many things about the Goodman performance that I don't want to
> emulate. As I said, I hate to have to use the argument that *he* didn't
> 'swing' in order to convince someone that 'swing' isn't appropriate there.
>
> The point is, the argument shouldn't be in the arena of *what people have
> done in performance* -- which is why the Etheridge book is misconceived.
>
> Previously, what we did was *return to the text*.
>
> > I think it ought to be possible to "swing" the relevant passages without
> > actually altering the rhythm at all, by e.g. placement of stress on the
> > notes.
>
> Perhaps you should read the discussion I referenced. You might be
convinced
> -- or not.
>
> Tony

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