 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-05-17 12:19
The Phila. Orch site showed an open MC for Morales on May 7th. at 4PM in the Rendell Rm.
Anyone attend?
File your report...Book em', Danno.
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Author: Bellflare
Date: 2004-05-18 02:54
No report. I wanted to go but had other obligations.
I dont know who played for him, but the fee to attend was only five dollars.
It was held late on a Friday afternoon and made it tough to travel if you have work or class or whatever.
Would like to know what was discussed and how it went.
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Author: thechosenone
Date: 2004-05-18 04:19
I went. It was pretty good. I'm pretty bad at actually writing out reports, so post replies as to what you would like know.
There were 2 curtis students, and 2 other high school students.
Post Edited (2004-05-18 04:21)
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-05-18 12:23
ok...so major topics discussed
who played what
helpful hints or pointers given
level of pedogogy
start with that oh chosenone
use telegraphic style
spelling doesnt count
discuss plot and theme
characterization
iambic pentameter ok for extra credit
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Author: thechosenone
Date: 2004-05-19 01:51
Major topics discussed in the masterclass:
Morales stated that when playing scales or arpeggios in pieces, such as the Weber Concertino, you must retain the energy and spirit after climaxing on the phrase. The idea was not to "die out" after you had finished the top notes.
Legato topics were discussed as well. Take a clarion G for example - when going down the scale slowly, say in Concertino at the very beginning, you must make sure your fingers go down extremely smoothly, without any extraneous "popping" noises.
Also, he worked with maintaining a good tone throughout the entire dynamic range of a single note (pp-ff). He had a student play a note at pp-p level, and pointed out the good tone of the note. He then had the student gradually crescendo on the note while keeping a good sound.
He also worked with tonal focus with one student. Take a clarion G, and play the B above it. There should be no difference in focus, so that the note doesn't stick out.
As for level of pedagogy, I think Morales is a decent teacher. I believe that he knows all the basics and fundamentals of playing well and knows how to address them (tonal focus, legato sound.) I could definitely see Morales being a authoritative teaching figure in 15-20 years.
Most of you know that he is Puerto Rican and that English is proabably not his native language. As so, sometimes up close, he was difficult to understand (he has a pretty thick accent and sometimes talks fast.) But generally, that wasn't really a problem.
As for a person, Morales is one of the coolest musicians I've ever met! Wonderful, funny guy
Oh yea, I forgot to mention, this was one of the most interesting masterclasses I've been to. Very chaotic?
The first person was supposed to play excerpts from Brahms Clarinet Quintet, but I guess he changed his repertoire. Later, I found out that he had intended to play the Poulenc Sonata for 2 clarinets with another Curtis student, but he injured his hand.
So before the masterclass, the person in charge of organizing it asked him if he was ready, and he replied "I don't know if I am playing." (Wow she must have had a heart attack!) Then, he just disappeared somewhere.
So the second guy went. Then the guy who was supposed to go first suddenly showed up. But I was next, so I went. After me, another high schooler and the guy who was supposed to go first were left.
The high schooler's accompanist apparently ran into a 'dilemma' and she was unable to arrive until a certain time. Therefore, he was reluctant to go. However, the curtis student didn't even have his instrument out. He suggested that he start playing w/o accompanist first. (He had to agree, because they wasn't really any other choice.)
After he had finished and Morales was working with him, his accompanist arrived. But....she forgot the music!! Man, I felt sorry for the poor guy.
Then the curtis student went. Since he actually wanted to play something, he asked Morales if he could play the first part of the 2nd mvt of the Poulenc. They did pretty well, although I had hoped to hear more than repeating notes from the curtis end. I think the impromptu duet was pretty cool.
Anyway, enough rambling for me
Post Edited (2004-05-19 02:06)
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-05-19 13:01
Chosenone...you are a better writer than you give yourself credit for.
Thanks for the info.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2004-05-20 13:14
Did he suggest any warm-up excersizes that might be helpful to us here on the board?
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