 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-01 14:28
In the last couple months, I have picked up recordings of Sabine Meyer and Martin Frost playing most of the Weber works for clarinet. On both of these recordings, the quintet is recorded as a concerto. The string sections, for the most part, play the string quartet parts as a section and the clarinet is the clearly defined soloist.
I can understand the rational behind this, as this particular quintet has always been a piece that is essentially written as "clarinet with string quartet accompaniment." Furthermore, I've always considered it Weber's best piece for clarinet from an intellectual and also purely aesthetic standpoint. Before I came across these recordings, I often wondered why people didn't just perform it as a concerto. Now I see it's being done.
Part of me wonders, though, if something is lost in viewing it as a concerto. While the quintet was never one for exciting interaction between players like the Mozart or Brahms Quintets, I feel as if playing it as a concerto loses some of its intimacy. It also lumps it into a category of Weber's music that is already saturated with clarinet and orchestra endeavors.
The recording I just obtained of Martin Frost is excellent. Top-notch playing as usual, just like the Sabien Meyer disc. These are major soloists today, particularly in Europe, and they made the decision to go this route.
What are your reactions?
-Jim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kevin
Date: 2007-05-01 15:54
I really love the Sabine Meyer recording of this you mentioned. I'd go so far to suggest that this is how Weber probably would have prefered to hear the piece.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-05-01 20:51
You think maybe it's just a psychological thing? Meaning that in the quintet, since you hear one of each string instrument, you clearly KNOW that there's not much going on between the clarinet and the strings, but with the concerto your psyche is fooled into thinking that there's more going on in the background and therefore it sounds more pleasing?
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-01 21:05
Alex, I'm not sure what you're saying. For me, the smaller sound of a quintet is far more pleasing and my ears don't turn off as easily as when I hear a clarinet and, oh yes, an orchestra somewhere back there.
That's not to say that it doesn't "work." It's just different, and I don't think its an improvement.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
