Klarinet Archive - Posting 000142.txt from 2011/01
From: "Kathy Williams-DeVries" <kathleenwilliams76@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Philosophical ponderings
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 04:47:38 -0500
Learned friends
Having spent the last week watching a great deal of my state and city rage
past me in a devastating dirty brown torrent has led me to be pondering more
in life than the difference between a BG and Vandoren Optimum ligature,
those normally for me that would be a no brainer, Vandoren all the way. So
I thought I would flex my literary and mental muscles just a tad.
My first discourse is my slight disappointment in the response from Dan
Leeson to a comment I made regarding contrasting and comparing the Mozart
Concerto and Quintet. I quote
Kathy, while I admired your playing of both the Mozart concerto and the
clarinet quintet, I remain puzzled by your suggestion that your youtube
piece would be a "useful resource to compare and contrast the two works."
Please tell me what a comparison and contrast of the two works would
achieve. A listener might say something about your performances, but that
would a comment on you, not a comparison and contrast of the two works.
Furthermore, I don't know how one would compare a concerto with a quintet
other than to say something such as one work had three movements, the other
four.
The bottom line here is that I would not know where to begin in a comparison
and a contrast of the two works. Is that really what you wanted from those
who might hear your lovely performances?? Or is that you wanted comments on
your performances but were afraid to ask for it.
I'm not trying to be difficult, only trying to understand what your real
expectations were.
Disappointed as I hold Dan in high regard for his wide knowledge and
intelligence about everything clarinet. Perhaps I could have elaborated on
my point a little more, and I do apologise, it was a comment I saw somewhere
on the internet. Perhaps Dan was inviting discussion, as I can't imagine, if
you thought about it, that you couldn't compare and contrast two works of
different instrumentation and structure. For example, would you be unable to
compare the original Lullaby lied and the resulting Symphony by Brahms. By
the original Trout lied and the quintet. Note, motif and key comparisons
with the Hummel Trumpet Concerto and Weber's Second. Though perhaps it is
like saying your friend looks like Ben Affleck. You can see characteristics
of Ben Affleck's looks on your friend, but your friend probably won't. My
husband is rubbish at recognising celebrities, whilst I, being an old black
and white movie buff, can tell a Kirk Douglas or Bette Davis at 100 paces
with or without beard or Elizabethan wig.
So, my comparisons and contrasts between the Concerto and quintet are two
fold, how they tug at my emotions, and certain thematic resemblances. The
most obvious is the second movement, where the C, F, A motif, slightly
displaced by rhythm and instrumentation tell an entirely different story for
me emotionally. The falling A, G, F, E, D convey to me an incredible
sadness, whereas the E, F, G, A, B flat, A, G in the quintet spell hope.
While the Concerto Adagio makes me weep, the demi semi upward runs in the
quintet I see as stair way to heaven.
I could also elaborate on the first movement, again a very similar
combination of notes, primarily the C, E, G triad with the odd appoggiatura
in there. But I consider the first movement of the Concerto, while it starts
quite upbeat, soon turns moody in the next motif, C, D, E flat, D, F, A
flat. In the Quintet, the upward mobility of the C major with G major
dominant triads spell much hope.
Going further, one could also see similarities of motif in the Mozart Church
sonatas, again, that C F A though a semi tone higher.
Which brings me to my main point, that of YouTube netiquette. Listers would
be aware I have the odd video on YouTube. OK, 1680 at last count. I'm not
really looking to 'be discovered', a career in music is an impossibility, I
really don't like and am really really really rubbish at teaching. Ask
anyone with connections to the Leicestershire County Council about the crazy
Australian that led to so many of her students quitting the clarinet and
music forever. There is no chance of a professional career in Australia
because, even if I was good enough, there aren't the jobs and my health is
not up to it. I have spent the best part of two months off work with stress
having performed too many recitals and a Master's exam recital. The normal
cycle of bipolar disorder means that though I have periods of normality
perhaps a little elevated, I have a lot of periods where for days on end I
cannot prise myself out of the foetal position and try to ride it out
without taking ever pill in the house to numb the emotional pain. This is
where my music helps, but I digress.
My point is about YouTube comments. Whilst most are extremely positive,
there are certain types of comments I want to highlight. Yes I am
overweight, but there is no need to say I need two chairs to sit in. My
comeback to that was savage to say the least and drew on my very best
Shakespearean insults. One attitude is that one should not post a youtube
video unless it is the very best one can do. Why? Does a footballer earn man
of the match every week? Some painters have this attitude. They never sell
anything until after their death. That is sad. My approach to posting a
YouTube video is that is the very best I can do AT THAT TIME. Because my
music is evolving, hopefully I will get better and subsequent re-recordings
will show this. At the end of this post I will put links to the various
incarnations of the Mozart Concerto.
Closely linked to the attitude that one must only post 'perfect' videos,
nevermind the billion other videos of genital mishaps and lancing boils, is
the comment that unless one is Shifrin, Barenboim, Meyer etc, one does not
'deserve' to post. One of my Rose etudes was critiqued, ending with the
remark that 'this isn't a very good representation of how to play this
piece'. OK, a couple of wrong notes, longer breaths than normal, but it
certainly wasn't hideous. Maybe it is just me being sensitive, but it felt
like this video had no business being on YouTube. In fact, as far as I know,
it is the only recording of this particular etude I can find on YouTube. My
reaction to this criticism is, well, if this is not a good representation of
this piece, then I encourage you to record it yourself so there is a better
representation of the piece on YouTube. Actually, that is my main recourse
to criticism, if you don't like it, if it can be played better, then you
record it and send me the link. I also add that I am not a professional
player , I have a day job in an office, clarinet playing is my hobby and I
don't have to be recording these pieces. I myself very rarely comment on a
YouTube video, although I give praise where well deserved.
The point is we are all in different levels of playing. Every level has its
place. The World Series or Superbowl is the highest level of that particular
game, but is only played once a year. The rest of the year you watch the
club games. While I thank Dan for his lovely comments about my playing, they
are very much appreciated, I feel that I have to humble myself before the
list, lest I come under attack for assuming a position above my status. But
each level of music has its place. Sure, it is sublime to hear Meyer or
Marriner, but is it that bad to hear a Masters student or clarinettist from
a regional orchestra? Shouldn't Johnny be able to post his very first
clarinet recital? I have been questioned why I post my practice sessions.
Well, why on earth not? Surely it is a useful resource for the frustrated
teacher to say, you hate practising your scales? Watch this person stick at
it for an hour. Can't play four bars of a movement, watch this poor sap at
it for 45 minutes. Struggling with a piece? Watch the metamorphosis day by
day of this person.
YouTube can be a wonderful resource, especially for the cash strapped
student. What I like about YouTube is you not only hear the piece, you see
somebody play it. You can see dozens of other people play it, different
interpretations, speeds and levels of proficiency. There is nothing in it
for me posting videos on YouTube. In fact, you can imagine the thousands of
hours I pour into it. Not only playing, but editing and uploading the
videos. No money, no fame, but a sense of accomplishment.
Now here are my various renditions of the Mozart Concerto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHlSYFTheNY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_1WYWfJALw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQzCXm6faRY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v0Xtfg343o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxY5-JXn-BM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBEa9zUzecw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcGFDoJhQ8g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqprXMgc8CE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WYpcLSUH_g
Regards,
Kathy Williams-DeVries
BMusPerf (Hons)
Grad Dip Arts (Shakespeare Studies)
ATCL, LTCL
0404946839
www.kathywilliams76.com
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