Klarinet Archive - Posting 000184.txt from 2011/01

From: K S <krsmav@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Food for thought
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:03:34 -0500

Kathy -

I admire your curiosity and breadth of interests. Finding the
emotional heart of each piece you play has always been the sign of a
fine musician. Your playing on YouTube is technically very good, and
you're at the transition point between being an excellent player of
the instrument and becoming a true professional who moves listeners
with playing that's at once true to the composer and uniquely your
own.

I listen constantly to the great musicians, and not just clarinetists.
I've learned more about phrasing and emotional projection from John
McCormack than from anyone, although his recordings were made 100
years ago. Dinu Lipatti played straight the heart. Josef Szigeti had
incomparable grace and eloquence. Fritz Kreisler played "mit schlag"
with an inimitable twinkle in his eye. He could make anyone feel
good.

I've learned more than I can easily describe from "Sound in Motion: A
Performer's Guide to Greater Musical Expression" by David McGill, the
principal bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony. It's full of wisdom,
with one revelation after another about how to phrase based on the
structure of the music.
<http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Motion-Performers-Greater-Expression/dp/0253219264/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295385737&sr=1-2>.

I want to hear more tone color and variety. One good tone is not
enough. As Robert Bloom said, you must make many good tones.
<http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=94788&t=94788>

Depend on your talents and accomplishments, look the audience in the
eye and play with an open heart. Damn the critics -- full speed
ahead.

Ken Shaw
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