Author: PhilipE
Date: 2018-05-19 00:44
I think there's a lot of old codswallop talked about the 'English' sound. What the heck is it anyway? One of the greatest British (he was English) clarinettists, Bernard Walton, played on Schmidt Kolbe clarinets. Pat Ryan, principal of the Hallé for years (he died during the early seventies) played non Boehm system instruments, maybe Clinton Boehm, I'm not sure. Charlie Draper played Martel clarinets. These three artists were renowned for their beautiful, expressive sound quality. Later on, Alan Hacker's preferred instruments were those made by EJ Albert of Brussels - precursors of the 1010 clarinet.
Britain is just simply too insular, and too little attention has been paid to the great players of the French and German tradition. The 'English Sound' monniker is just an excuse for playing in a rather limp, unfocussed, non-progressive style. Brymer was a great musician, and influential player, but he started off on simple system instruments, and the influence of those remained with him until the end of his career. He's had many imitators, but every single one of them has remained in his shadow.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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