Klarinet Archive - Posting 000115.txt from 2004/10

From: "dnleeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Mahler
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 15:11:50 -0400

Mark, I think that anyone who approaches Mahler's music with a
hypothesis that Mahler was crazy and did not know what he was
doing is in serious trouble. I have played Mahler 5 with six
clarinets on a number of occasions including the two bass
clarinets, though I did not have a D clarinet. I had to use an
E-flat and transpose.

There is not a shred of evidence that Mahler chose those
instruments for any reason other than his knowledge of orchestral
sound and what those clarinet types contributed to it. Now you
if have some other information about his motivation, I'd like to
hear it. Alternatively, you might play the work, get some
experience in it, and then share your thoughts with us.

Right now, you are not in a position of advantage with those of
us who have had the privilege of playing that work, sometimes on
multiple occasions over a period of 30 years.

Dan Leeson
DNLeeson@-----.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark H. Weinstein [mailto:mark.weinstein@-----.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 11:36 AM
To: clarinet list
Subject: [kl] Mahler

I am playing 3rd/bass clarinet part in Mahler's 5th Symphony with
an
amateur orchestra. In theory the part calls for 6 clarinets-
B,A,D,C,Bb
bass and A bass. I actually have all but the A Bass. Any thoughts
on why
he wrote one part for 6 clainets? for the tone? Why write for A
clarinet
in 6 flats when there are other options? Was he that crazy? Yor
thoughts. Mark

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