 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Josh Schultze
Date: 2003-01-07 15:26
Hi all,
I've just returned from a trip to Berlin where I was priveleged to hear the rehearsals and the New Year's concert of the Berlin Philharmonic with Simon Rattle. It was quite an experience! They played Bernstein's Overture to Candide and Wonderful Town. What an orchestra! What a conductor!
The practices during the week were amazing because I was able to watch and hear the Berlin Philharmonic gradually bring together the music of the evening: most espcially Wonderful Town which has lots of swing. I watched as they started the first rehearsal with a "Svink" sound and evolved into smooth and easy "Swing" sound. The amazing thing for me is that even at the highest level of musicianship there is still learning and perfecting that can be done. Granted, even when playing an entirely new style of music, the Berlin Phil is starting out at an extremely high level, but there is always room for musical growth. That is what's exciting. one is never "finished".
The principle clarinetest, because he does jazz on the side, was monumental in leading the orchestra through the journey of the discovery of swing and big band music. You could tell immediately that he was well versed in the genre. His playing was phenomenal! Extremely smooth, effortless and musical. However, there was something missing: the big sound. Perhaps because he was playing "das Deutsche System" the sound that was coming from his horn was never truly powerful. It was beautiful, but even when he was flying up the scale to the altissimo it was difficult to hear him above the the subdued saxes and brass. Even during his solos the sound that was coming from his horn seemed muted, and I was sitting in the 9th row.
Perhaps because I love big band music I expect to hear a big, fat sound coming from the lead clarinet. I was unable to ask him directly if he had changed his setup inorder to play swing so I don't know if he did anything special to try to get a bigger sound. However, I am sure that in a more intimate jazz setting there would be plenty of punch behind his sound.
Overall it was a wonderful experience and it was very encouring to see and hear the marvelous perfection of this orchestra with its amazing new conductor.
Take care,
Josh
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Author: beejay
Date: 2003-01-08 12:58
I saw Marsalis and the Lincoln Center big band last night. Big Fat sount indeed and amplified even in a small room. My ears are still ringing.
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2003-01-08 23:49
Josh,
That is a wonderful experience you were privileged to experience. How did you manage to get into this?
As for your comments about the lead clarinettist sound, maybe that is what makes a great orchestra player, he's not here to show off, he's here to make sure he will perfectly blend with his mates, particularly since this ability to make you hear "one string" is the trademark of the Berliner Philarmoniker.
Stéphane.
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Author: Josh Schultze
Date: 2003-01-09 14:13
Stephanie,
I had intended to be there for the New Year's Eve concert and because a friend of a friend knows Simon Rattle I was very, very briefly introduced and Simon allowed us to sit in on rehearsals. It was a privelege indeed.
Also I must agree with you about the "orchestral sound." And the lead clarinetist's sound was as close to ideal as I could ever imagine for orchestral works.
I once was able to talk to Jeffery Kahner, the principal flutist for the Philadelphia Symohony. Said that one thing he really envied about clarinetists is that they could change their setups inorder to create a different sound. Flute players cannot. So I just wondered if the lead clarinetist did anything to change his set up. He still had the same string ligature but that was all I could see.
Taks care
Josh
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