Klarinet Archive - Posting 000297.txt from 2006/10

From: "dnleeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:15:57 -0400

I repeat that I was not arguing for one way or another, only
stating what my experience as a player had been. A rehearsal is
a debating society. The conductor says to do it this or that
way, and that ends the conversation.

Dan Leeson
DNLeeson@-----.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Bowen [mailto:bowenk@-----.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:31 AM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: RE: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question

Glenn

I think this is very plausible. Tchaikovsky knew perfectly well
what the
bass clarinet sounded like. The only thought is that the bassoon
may have
been the quieter French bassoon - I don't know what was used in
Moscow at
that time.

Dan, I didn't expect to hear you arguing for hallowed tradition
against the
evidence of the composer's score!

Keith

> -----Original Message-----
> From: klarinet-return-89110-bowenk=compuserve.com@-----.org
>
[mailto:klarinet-return-89110-bowenk=compuserve.com@-----.org]
On
> Behalf Of Glenn Kantor
> Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 7:06 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question
>
>
> Dan,
>
> Perhaps Tchaikovsky WANTED the change in tonality between the
clarinet and
> bassoon.
>
> Maybe he didn't want it to be "seamless" :-)
>
> Curious as to when the "tradition" of using the bass clarinet
for these 4
> (or 5) notes actually began...
>
> Glenn B Kantor (GBK)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "dnleeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
> To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:50 PM
> Subject: RE: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question
>
>
> > Unfortunately, the use of the bass clarinet has become a
> > "hallowed tradition," which is almost a sentence of death.
And
> > in many orchestras, the bass clarinet part MUST be played by
the
> > bass clarinetist. It is generally in the contract, and this
> > precludes the use of the 2nd clarinet player who, if he
played
> > it, would get a doubling fee.
> >
> > While I fully agree with Glenn that we should respect the
> > composer's wishes, there are two things that support the use
of
> > the bass clarinet. First, the connection between the last
note
> > of the clarinet and the first note of the following passage
> > should be seamless, and that is much more difficult to do
when
> > the clarinet leaves and the bassoon enters. Second, a bass
> > clarinet can play much more softly in that register, which is
> > generally the wish of the conductor.
> >
> > I have sat through many performances of that work only
because I
> > had to play those four notes. Actually, I played five notes,
> > because I would begin playing in unison with the clarinettist
on
> > his last note thereby making the connection absolutely
seamless.
> >
> > Dan Leeson
> > DNLeeson@-----.net
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Glenn Kantor [mailto:klarinet@-----.net]
> > Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 9:37 AM
> > To: klarinet@-----.org
> > Subject: Re: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question
> >
> >
> > If the conductor insists on using the bass clarinet to finish
the
> > descending
> > clarinet solo line, the 2nd clarinet player is resting during
> > this time and
> > has ample time to switch to bass clarinet.
> >
> > Of course, this all certainly begs the question - Tchaikovsky
> > certainly knew
> > of the bass clarinet and its capabilities, but he still chose
to
> > have the
> > clarinet line followed by the bassoon. Should we not respect
his
> > wishes?
> >
> > Glenn B Kantor (GBK)
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jim Lytthans" <lytthans@-----.net>
> > To: "Klarinet Digest (Mail)" <klarinet@-----.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:02 PM
> > Subject: [kl] Tchaikovsky 6th Question
> >
> >
> >>I have a question regarding the use of bass clarinet in the
> > Tchaikovsky
> >>"Pathetique". symphony. We're doing it on the next concert,
and
> > I have
> >>played it many times. I remember the bass clarinet, not the
> > bassoon,
> >>playing the last four notes in measure 160, at the end of the
> > clarinet
> >>solo, just before the Allegro Vivo in the 1st movement.
Several
> > recordings
> >>I have of the work use bass clarinet also, but I can't seem
to
> > locate a
> >>bass part. I know the four notes in question are an easy
> > substitution, but
> >>I can't see the player sitting on stage for just four notes.
Any
> >>suggestions?
> >>
> >> Jim Lytthans
> >> Anaheim, CA
> >>
>
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> >
> >
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