Klarinet Archive - Posting 000226.txt from 2005/02
From: "rien stein" <rstein@-----.nl>
Subj: [kl] That was hard work!
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 17:47:40 -0500
Lelia Loban wrote:
<<
How encouraging that an amateur band asked for new compositions! That's
one of the ways classical music stayed alive in earlier centuries. Is it
common for Dutch amateur bands to perform new music? I have the impression
that here in the USA, amateur bands rarely premiere new compositions.
>>
Hello Lelia
Yes, in this country there are a few bands that can allow the expenses of
ordering a work from a composer. But they are top-of-the-bill amateur
orchestras, able to play all kinds of music, and often in part manned by
professional musicians. This band I played with last weekend had no
professional instrumentalists, except for the soloists, but had the support
of several funds created especially to support amateur bands to order works
from composers. The band was of a sufficient level to be in consideration
for a subvention of one of these funds. The two bands I play with are far
below this level, and just have to play whatever happens to be on the
market. But even the Maartensdijk band I play with -- a very low-level
band -- last year premiered the "Jan Slok Mars" by Joop Donders. Thus, on
all levels, although it may not be common, it does occur.
Lelia wrote:
<<
That sounds like a terrific experience
>>
It was.At least, to me the word "terrific" has two annotations, one related
to terror, the other one of "extremely positive". It was an experience in
the last sence, a paek experience, as Maslow would call it.
Lelia wrote:
>>
I've found that my best way to advance is to work on something that seems
too difficult for me, but it's been many years since I've played music with
other people. Do you find that playing difficult work, with people who
play better than your usual music partners, raises you to a new level that
you can sustain afterwards?
<<
To be honest: I have no experience, or hardly any, with people playing
better than I do. But I learned a lot from people playing my own level or
slightly below, like my ex-colleague Dick van Leyenhorst, who also is on
this list. A couple of years ago I played together with David Glenn, and now
I played in this orchestra, that were really good experiences, but probably
if there had been a chance to play more on that level my skills would have
been advanced more.
And as you say, I also learned most from pieces that were slightly above my
possibilities.
But I am 61, and although I feel I still progress -- last year I performed
the "Abîme des oiseaux" -- and still want to learn as much as I can on
clarinet, and take every possibility to improve, I also am sharply aware of
what Herman Braun said to me last year when I spoke with him about entering
conservatory: "Playing music is kind of top sport. And you are entering an
age that you have arrived on your top. Maybe you didn't yet reach your top
altogether, then it is a pity you didn't become a pro, but the top of what
you can achieve isn't far off anymore.", he said. These words are a
challenge to me to get the best of what I can in the probably few years I
still can play improve, but when I feel things are going to become less, I
will accept it as a matter of life, as I always took life as it offered
itself to me.
And I have had a good life. Enjoyed every period of it. And am so fortunate
to be able to say my peak experiences became more frequent with the number
of years I got loaded on my back.
But I am aware I am getting OT.'Scuse me.
Rien
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