 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-03-27 12:02
So I went to see Acker Bilk at Symphony Hall Brimingham. Three British jazz 'legends', in fact - Chris Barber & Kenny Ball too.
I know there's endless disputes about the qualities of Mr. Bilk's playing, but here's my impressions as a young whipper-snapper who wasn't even around when he pressed That Record in the early 60's.
He's clearly getting on in years - walks slowly and deliberately, takes plenty of breaks, and makes excellent 'ageist' jokes. But who wouldn't after a 50 year career?
However,
He's a natural performer, and quite unafraid of doing absurd things with the instrument. Every note he played was musical. And his tone, in that hall, seemed to have the weight of centuries behind it.
Though I think Chris Barber's 11-piece just about stole the show, I feel quite honoured to have seen a living legend do his thing.
Yes, I enjoyed myself.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2006-03-27 17:56
If "legitimate" clarinet "artists" of the highest calibre can perform "performance pieces" that include instructions for "key pops" and other such archania, then Aker Bilk can pretty well do anything he wants without shame.
Once again, music is music. You aren't going to like everything you hear, just as the jazz aficionado, the longest of long-hairs, and the rap thug will condemn that that they don't like. Other than being trapped in a public place and being forced to listen to trio sonatas transcriptions performed on alto clarinets, you can escape that which you don't like and leave these others to wallow in their ignorance and all will be well.
Personally, "jazz" in the Davis and Coltraine veins leaves me cold, I'd rather spend another year in the field in RVN than play another Bruckner symphony, and I have a hard time from breaking out in laughter when I see the artistry of rap being dealt with seriously in a newspaper critic's review. But, that's just me; your mileage may vary. Like it or not, it's still music.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-03-27 18:27
Terry, just for you I'd like to put together a CD transcription of themes from Bruckner transcribed for alto clarinet trio, performed in the Miles Davis "cool school" style, with rap overdub.
Please let me know your mailing address so I can send you this wonderful CD as soon as it's completed.
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Author: Grant
Date: 2006-03-27 22:25
I want a copy too. My vast alto clarinet trio CD sections needs it to be complete.
Peace on Earth and May You always have a reed that PLAYS.
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2006-03-28 03:26
I should be more charitable to the alto clarinet, for the very first money that I got paid for playing was from the wonderful folks at Selmer for an alto in a demo at a music educator's conference. But, it's just the neither here nor there, viola-like nature of the beasts that is (to me, at least) off-putting.
Part of it might have been some time spent on an alto clarinet with open tone holes. Not a pleasant instrument to play up to my skill levels...them fingers has to hit the holes right on the money or it's pick a partial city...
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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