Klarinet Archive - Posting 000676.txt from 2004/10

From: Adam Michlin <amichlin@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] K622 - to beat or not to beat
Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 16:23:47 -0400

At 04:11 PM 10/23/2004 -0400, Patricia A. Smith wrote:
>IMO, there is something of a difference between transcribing Pictures at
>an Exhibition from (the piano?) original to full orchestra, while keeping
>the general overall style of the piece intact. What Ravel accomplished
>there was to utilize the various timbres of orchestral instruments in
>place of various pianistic techniques that create the "pictures" in the
>listener's mind. However, Ravel, AFAIK, did not tamper with the rhythmic
>structure, nor did he tamper with the overall harmonic structure of the
>original.

But, but, but Ravel used a... I can't say it.. a.. a.. saxophone! Perhaps
the most sacrilegious thing a classical composer can do! (I shouldn't have
to say this, but I am kidding).

>Such a transcription is miles away from "setting K622" to a beat, and
>basically changing the overall style and "heart" if you will, of the
>music. While one is said to be a "transcription" the same cannot be said
>of the other, because certain changes do cross the line from the area of
>transcription into that of re-arranging the music, setting it to either
>different rhythmic patterns, different harmonic patterns, or both. It is
>a small distinction, but one I feel too often we do not make.

I'm tempted to say if:

If you like it, listen to it.
If you don't like it, don't listen to it.

I guess I'm not as concerned with distinctions as I used to be. Is this
good or bad? I'm not entirely sure.

-Adam

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