Klarinet Archive - Posting 000067.txt from 2008/04

From: Joseph Wakeling <joseph.wakeling@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Schubert 8th Symphony - 3/4 or 6/8?
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:33:46 -0400

Joseph H. Fasel wrote:
> With rare exceptions, I appreciate conductors who conduct the written
> meter and don't attempt to indicate hemiolas or syncopation, for two
> reasons: (1) it's less confusing and (2) these devices comprise
> rhythmic tension that is more effective if not explicitly conducted.

It really depends on the work. I remember a friend telling me about
playing a Stravinsky piece (I forget which, it might have been Rite of
Spring) under Boulez, who conducted some passages with 3 in one hand and
2 in the other. After the initial "Wha--??!!" reaction, it produced
very positive results since in this case there really needed to be the
feeling, not of syncopation, but of two concurrent rhythmic structures.

Then again, I, in my much-less-prestigious playing history, have had on
more than one occasion the problem of playing with a conductor who
switches between a 2-beat and a 3-beat (or something similar) and _gets
it wrong_, with (say) a different eighth-note speed for the 6/8 and 3/4
bars. Which is not much fun. :-(

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