Klarinet Archive - Posting 000238.txt from 2010/07

From: Martin Baxter <martinbaxter1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Oboe works on a C clarinet
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:45:50 -0400

Kathy,I've been playing Baroque oboe parts on a soprano sax. and it works very well too. It seems to me that as baroque instruments (and indeed classical instruments) sounded so different from our own and that baroque composers/performers so often altered the solo instruments anyone who is too purist ends up by being a bit "precious". Of course I always play the Saint-Saens sonata on my old Selmer Boehm, but I play the Stanford on an Albert sytem by Boosey, whilst I play the Beethoven trio on a 9-key boxwood by Parker. (And you can believe it if you like although I have tried doing all the above). In fact I would rather play music on whatever instruments are available than not play it at all, but I also enjoy trying to get nearer to what I imagine as the original sound. I think many of your 'purist' critics will never have played the works they shudder over. Get your C clarinet out & have fun!
Martin

On 15 Jul 2010, at 01:47, Williams, Kathy wrote:

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 can 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 can be played on the flute, flute works can be played on oboe, the Schumann Fantasy pieces are transcribed for several instruments. We should not forget the Bach solo partitas for violin and cello that seem to be transcribed for almost every instrument combination. The Mozart Oboe Concerto is also played on flute, the Prokofiev Violin Sonata No. 2 is also played on flute, and has been transcribed for clarinet. I' ve heard the Mozart clarinet concerto 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 extraordinary, 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 1800 025 222

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