 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-29 17:52
Well, what spurted me to write this one is because I recently heard a piece of work played DRASTICALLY different from another recording. The work in question is Carl Von Weber's Theme and Variations for clarinet and string quartet. I have only heard three recordings. Charles Niedich, David Shifrin, and Kathay Pope.
When Charles Neidich and David Shifrin played it, although they have different sounds, they both played the piece with the same 'vibe' or 'energy'. Sad in the minor key, vibrant and energetic as it got faster and faster.
Kathay Pope's version (with piano accompinament, which was pretty cool because now I know if I ever wanted to try to tackle this one I might be able to play it with just a pianist and not need a quartet) was DRASTICALLY different. The entire piece was MUCH slower than Neidich or Shifrin did it, (slower as in about 30 bpm slower. A BIG difference) and everything was smooth and legato and it didn't show the energy that the other two had.
It didn't make much sense to me (especially having heard the energetic version first) and so I was just wondering what was going on. I'll try to post snippets of it on my unupdated webpage so you can hear what I'm talking about.
Just thought it might be interesting to discuss (a major difference in the take of a piece) and later on (when I finally get that going) hear the differences.
Of course no longer being around maybe there is no way to prove that Weber wanted it one way or the other, but based on how I've heard all his other works performed, I would not have assumed to make everything rather slow and legato but would probably prefer to play/hear it fast and upbeat.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-04-30 00:10
And therein in lies some of the fun of music. Drastically changing styles is not only fun, but a good way to to get the feel of new rhythms.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-30 02:04
Ah. After returning from school, and with a little downloading of basic freeware programs, converting and some amateur splitting and splicing, here are the two samples. (Lo and behold! He has ANOTHER hobby besides clarinet!)
I hear what you're saying Contra, but here. Download and take a listen for yourself. There's such a huge DRASTIC difference that I'm not even sure what the composer intended. I can't even tell if he wanted it to sound one way or the other now.
ESPECIALLY in the ending. Which is one of the most crucial parts of the piece (we always remember the beginning and the ending. The middle is often lost to our memories)
Alexi
PS - if the hyperlinks don't work when clicking, copy and paste. That WILL work.
http://www.geocities.com/softheart82/Kathay_Edit.mp3
http://www.geocities.com/softheart82/Neidich_Edit.mp3
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2004-04-30 02:04)
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-04-30 02:27
I tried downloading and the Neidich one didn't download and the Kathay downloaded to 45.5% and stopped. It complains about HTTP/1.1 508 unused.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-30 02:42
Sigh. Go figure. Apparently there's a data transfer limit and I've exceeded it for the day. . . .
I'll get them on this forum. I forgot I can upload things OTHER than pictures. They're about one meg each which isn't bad. And it's not the whole song, only about a 50 second clip of each so it's not like "free music".
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2004-04-30 02:44)
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-05-02 01:28
I downloaded them, and it is more <I>different</I> than I previously imagined. The Neidrich version sounded more eloquent in its delivery. The Kathay version didn't appeal to me too much.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-05-02 01:36
Exactly. It's very VERY different. That's what shocked me. The amount of difference. I know everyone has their own sound and style, but this is just an unbelievable difference in the exact same piece of music.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: justwannaplay
Date: 2004-05-02 12:14
Very interesting indeed. To this total amateur the Kathay definitely sounds more 'drawing room', and seems to be looking back to a more classical style (very late Mozart ) . I actually prefer the first part in the Kathay - it seems to have more yearning and angst (but the beat seems a bit off in the turn). However, the rest does not sound in keeping with the virturosistic nature of these sort of pieces. In that sense the Neidich is more successful and satisfying (or perhaps "gratifying" to our expectations).
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