Klarinet Archive - Posting 000095.txt from 2008/11

From: "Dan Leeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Doctor Atomic
Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:42:23 -0500

Thanks for you input on the matter of Dr. Atomic, Stephen. I was not as
impressed with the music as you were, but I thought that its dramatic
purpose was sensational. There was nothing wrong with the music, I just
found it too angular. But it was the instrumental usage that fascinated me,
particularly the use of what I think was at least one contrabass clarinet.

Dan Leeson
dnleeson@-----.net

----- Original Message -----
From: "Heinemann, Stephen" <sjh@-----.edu>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 11:17 AM
Subject: [kl] Re: Doctor Atomic

> On 11/9/08 4:01 AM, Dan Leeson <dnleeson@-----.net> wrote:
>
>> Saw the production of Dr. Atomic from the Met in NY and in several
>> sections I heard what has to be the loudest contrabass clarinet I ever
>> heard or else two contrabass clarinetists blasting away. There was also
>> what I think may have been an A-flat piccolo clarinet (or else an I-flat
>> clarinet player who could play up to high A). Anyone know about the
>> clarinet needs of John Adams Dr. Atomic.
>>
>> The opera is very effective dramatically, but musically, that's another
>> matter.
>
> Sorry, I can't help out with any clarinet specifics.
>
> I saw Doctor Atomic early this year in Chicago and thought it was one of
> the
> most profound works of art I've seen. I was especially impressed with the
> music, which I found to be powerful and moving -- harmonically and
> melodically convincing, rhythmically fascinating, and brilliantly
> orchestrated. To each his own.
>
> Just to be sure, I went to the local dodecaplex yesterday and saw the same
> performance that Dan did. My initial impressions of the music were
> reinforced, and I'm looking forward to the release of the recording. The
> staging and sets (by a different director and designer) seemed very static
> and were not nearly as compelling as those in Chicago, although that may
> have been in part an illusion forced by all the close-up camera angles.
>
> Steve Heinemann
> Bradley University
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>

------------------------------------------------------------------

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org