 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: woody
Date: 2008-05-06 14:14
Thanks for this David
I listened as a big fan of Branford and Copland and his concerto, but I have to say that IMHO I really didnt think it worked on the soprano Sax at all.
I thought the opening was way too fast and the intonation a huge challenge for the Sop and overall the sop sax sound felt uncomfortable playing this music...
I'll stop there because I am no-one to critisize the playing of Branford Marsalis! but I do have a problem with certain instruments (not all!) playing for works originally written for others, & this, I feel is one of them.
A few years ago Michael Collins recorded the Beethoven Violin Concerto, and although the Clarinet playing is stunning I felt it was just wrong. Am I alone here?
When Branford is joined with Larry Combs for the encore however, that is something I wish I had seen, great fun!
Ben
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2008-05-06 15:36
After hearing this, let's just say that they should have had Larry Combs play the concerto. I don't really care how difficult it is to play this on a soprano sax, it pretty much sounds like Branford Marsalis is struggling on every note. And truthfully, you can't be playing this much out of tune in front of the Chicago Symphony...
The opening is rushed through, the cadenza feels "labored" I don't hear any phrasing. And the last section is shaky at best.
I may sound harsh and I am happy taking the flames, but Mr Marsalis probably got big $$ for this and we shoudl expect a certain level of excellence...
However, I found the jazz session quite fun and Mr Marsalis really comes to life...
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
Post Edited (2008-05-06 16:59)
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Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2008-05-06 20:23
Yes, I agree. Would like to hear LC play the Copland and let BM to do the Monk.
But thanks, David for bringing it to our attention.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-05-06 21:02
Woody -
Michael Collins recorded the Beethoven Violin Concerto transcription but has written that he regrets doing it and will not play it again. I have the CD and agree with him. He plays it about as well as it can be played on clarinet, but it doesn't work.
Ken Shaw
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2008-05-07 01:25
That was really quite awful, from a purely musical and technical position. The Copland Concerto is hard enough to pull off on clarinet. This was just a train wreck.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-05-07 03:13
In general I don't mind the idea of playing pieces on instruments other than those they were originally composed for, but to play this on soprano sax is just silly really.
Branford was very good on Blue Monk, although I don't think a soprano sax is the best instrument for that melody either (and I didn't like the clarinet on that so much).
I thought the orchestra was great!
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Author: mrn
Date: 2008-05-07 05:49
Did anybody listen to the audio interview with Marsalis (a little further down the page)?
He said something to the effect that the first 11 minutes of the Copland is just a very long "introduction" and the "real piece" starts after the cadenza.
Oh really? Well, I guess that explains why he tried to get it over with as quickly as possible.....
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