Klarinet Archive - Posting 000233.txt from 2010/07

From: Daniel N Leeson <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Oboe works on a C clarinet
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:16:41 -0400

I know the advantaages of having a C clarinet, Kathy.=A0 My objection was n=
ot to the practice of instrument substitutions.=A0 It was the claim that ha=
d Handel the opportunity to use a clarinet in a particular composition, he =
would have done so. In other words, the writer was putting his/her words in=
Handel's mouth.
=A0
In essence, the argument being=A0put=A0forward was that the instrumental su=
bstitution was what Handel would have done had he the opportunity. And I do=
n't agree that that kind of conjecture, offered without the slightest shred=
of evidence, does anyone any good. In effect, do what you want, but don't =
claim that what you do is consistent with what the composer might have want=
ed.
=A0
We clarinetists specialize in performance matters and should not be offerin=
g shoot-from-the hip musicologcial or historical=A0conectures.
=A0
This list has a number of very serious professional players or ex players.=
=A0 And suggestions of this nature are not always going to be received well=
by people who have been playing clarinet for 50 or more years. If one gets=
bruised by such a response as I made, the bruisee should=A0decide if s/he =
is up to serious professional criticism.
=A0
Dan Leeson

--- On Wed, 7/14/10, Williams, Kathy <Kathy.Williams@-----.com> wrot=
e:

From: Williams, Kathy <Kathy.Williams@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] Oboe works on a C clarinet
To: "'klarinet@-----.com>
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 5:47 PM

Dan

My point in playing oboe and flute works on the C clarinet was not that the=
works should have originally been written for the instrument, but through =
the use of either a C clarinet or transcription for B flat, clarinettists c=
an explore repertoire that would not normally be in their reach. Who is to =
say that a composer wrote strictly for the one instrument? Recorder works c=
an be played on the flute, flute works can be played on oboe, the Schumann =
Fantasy pieces are transcribed for several instruments. We should not forge=
t the Bach solo partitas for violin and cello that seem to be transcribed f=
or almost every instrument combination. The Mozart Oboe Concerto is also pl=
ayed on flute, the Prokofiev Violin Sonata No. 2 is also played on flute, a=
nd has been transcribed for clarinet. I' ve heard the Mozart clarinet conce=
rto played on viola, as well as the Brahms Sonatas. Is it really that wrong=
? I feel if the piece is played with sensitivity, feeling and
historical accuracy, and with a beautiful sound, it should not matter what=
instrument plays it. Music is about enjoyment and entertainment after all.=
I feel the creative challenge of music is to make the ordinary extraordina=
ry, whatever instrument you play.

(Hoping rose coloured glasses not too evident)

Kind regards

Kathy Williams
Customer Service Delivery Consultant
Customer Service Delivery
Customer Care, Telstra Enterprise and Government
Telstra Corporation Limited=A0 =A0=A0=A01800 025 222

_______________________________________________
Klarinet mailing list
Klarinet@-----.com
To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com
_______________________________________________
Klarinet mailing list
Klarinet@-----.com
To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com