Klarinet Archive - Posting 000097.txt from 2008/10

From: Laurence Edward Young <klarinette@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Karl Leister K.622
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:20:00 -0400


-----Original Message-----
>From: Kevin Fay <kevin.fay.home@-----.net>
>Sent: Oct 19, 2008 7:37 PM
>To: klarinet@-----.org
>Subject: RE: [kl] Karl Leister K.622
>
>A thought.
>
>There are countless - well maybe not, since some doctoral student has
>undoubtedly counted them - editions of K622.
>
>If editing is "wrong" - or at least, "wrong-headed" - perhaps it's time to
>have a Mozart scholar-in-the-know come out with a "non-edition." Just the
>facts, ma'am, the notes we're reasonably certain of, and a text explanation
>of what's not there (and why it isn't).
>
>At this point in my playing career, it won't make much difference. There
>are a bazillion young kids, however, who could be saved from erroneous
>"learning" by a direct, scholarly and honest approach to the piece.
>
>. . . I'd buy it, anyway.
>
>Perhaps Tony and Dan can collaborate. I'll buy the pizza and beer.
>
>kjf
>
>
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>

Yes Yes!

O Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the music world. Have mercy on us.

But lead us not into temptation...

The temptation here is that this will be any less destructive to Mozart's 'intentions' (whatever they may have been) than all the editions ever published put together. As Anton Stadler traveled around performing the concerto he was certainly 'penciling in' his own emendations for how he wanted to perform the piece. Had this edition been published and then the manuscript lost we'd be left with Stadler's performing version but no one would know what was Mozart's 'original' and what was Stadler's.

For a good example of this take Weber's two concerti. What are Weber's true intentions? Is it worthwhile trying to strip all of Baermann's additions off to get to some mythical 'authentic' Weber version? Does anyone want to hear someone perform the 'Henle-Urtext' version? (surely that name isn't designed to sell anything!)

The problem with 'historical authenticity' is that it's a jealous God (and a false idol to boot!) casting all who disagree out of Paradise. Let us be careful when we make an offering to it.

Laurence E. Young
--Santa Barbara, California

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