Klarinet Archive - Posting 000231.txt from 2011/03

From: "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Basset Horn Question
Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:54:57 -0400


Nancy Buckman wrote,
>Well...with all due respect, I would never let "the lack of
>a proper horn" prevent me from trying any music,...I don't
>care who composed it, or what instrument it was written for.
>Mozart is dead and can't hear me. If I wanted to play his
>Flute and Harp Concerto on tuba and electric guitar because
>that was what I had at hand, then that's what I would do. And
>I'd be sure to enjoy every moment. Then, if the timbre was
>wrong, oh well...on to the next project! I am really fed up with
>all sorts of "correctness" at this point in my life. And long live
>any sort of basset horn...I love 'em all!

Nancy, I've reached LD-50 with the extremes of cultural correctness and I'll
play something on the "wrong" instrument, too, if I haven't got the one the
composer intended. I don't disagree with the *effort* to play music as the
composer wanted it played. If I can get hold of the right instrument, I use
it. Nonetheless, I refuse to deprive myself of Mozart because I can't
afford a basset clarinet.

Now, in reply to Martin, danyel had written,
>>Clearly, you assume I am NOT familiar with said works,
>>otherwise you wouldn't deem me ill-informed? Why so
>>snotty? I am not offending you, I just disagree. >>

But later, in response to Nancy's message above, danyel let fly with this:
>Nancy,
>
>Splendid, if that is what makes you happy! I understand that
>the uneducated masses today are force fed midi sounds like they
>are fast food. They don't know better.
[snip]
>I had the privilege to learn, quite a luxury. I know how a basset
>horn sounds and ersatzhorns don't make me happy. If I'd want
>tuba and electric guitar I'd play Gill Evans or write for those
>instruments. Sure Nancy, you know as well or better, but you
>must live under very different cultural conditions. People here
>spend their lives developing a tone, refining embouchure and reeds.
>Why bother? Take the midi file and put it in the microwave! >

Danyel, it takes some chutzpah for you to accuse anybody else of snottiness
when you can pontificate so loftily about the "uneducated masses." For your
information, since apparently you haven't paid much attention to her
previous posts here on Klarinet, Nancy Buckman does know how a basset horn
sounds. She's a thoughtful, well-educated person, in general and also as a
musician. (Yes, I've met her, when we both attended ClarinetFest in
Maryland.) She doesn't deserve your rude squeaks on her "cultural
conditions."

Lelia
(I wonder whether it's possible to play Stravinsky's "Three Pieces" on bass
sax? Hmmm....)
Lelia Loban
http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/Lelia_Loban

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