Klarinet Archive - Posting 000185.txt from 2007/05

From: Tony Pay <tony.p@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] R. Kell revisited
Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 04:59:48 -0400

On 22 May, "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net> wrote:

> Kevin Fay wrote,
>
> > While much has been written about Kell's use of vibrato, I think the
> > big shocker ws his tone quality. Many American clarinetists would
> > wrinkle their nose at the "buzziness" in his tone in the chalumeau, for
> > example. It would be labled a "bad" tone, of which nothing of any
> > beauty could be made with.

> Though Kell's tone varies a great deal from one performance to another, I
> agree that he often sounds the way you describe. If I'd only heard Kell's
> transcriptions of Handel, I'd wonder why he's renowned for tone, because he
> sounds astonishingly shrill and hooty to me in the Handel recordings.

A strong positive quality of Kell's is that, like a good singer, his
BEGINNINGS are very often well-executed. The sound 'vibrates' right from the
beginning -- it's very real, and good in that sense. It means that music
that needs to be 'spoken' receives good service from him, and is part of the
reason why his playing is often said to be vocal.

Funnily enough, I was reminded of it just the other day by hearing a similar
mastery of 'beginnings' from Nat King Cole. Here, there is no lack of
smoothness of attack -- but no lack of assertiveness either.

Tony
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_________ Tony Pay
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