|
Tony Watson
Guest
|
 |
« on: 12:15:37, 04-03-2007 » |
|
Hello, everyone! Like a few others, I'm here because I got tired of the restrictive nature of the official Radio 3 messageboard and having some innocent postings of mine removed. It's good to see so many familiar names here. The whole site is so well constructed with such interesting features that I'm not sure I would go back to the old boads even if they are reformed.
A little bit about myself? I try to take an interest in most aspects of classical music but especially Prokofiev, Sullivan, certain Wagner operas and playing the clarinet in amateur orchestras and chamber groups. As well as CDs I like to collect orchestral scores and books on music. I like details, often the more obscure the better, and I enjoy discussions about aspects of scores, instruments and performing practices. I have a theory at the moment that Schubert didn't understand the range of the clarinet, but I'll be happy if someone can prove me wrong.
I'm also involved in the running of a professional concert series (I've got a cello and piano recital tonight). I sometimes think how wonderful it would be to be a professional player but when I see yet another magazine cover proclaiming a new generation of performers, I think what pressure there must be in having to look over one's shoulder at musicians who are getting more attention because they're younger and better looking! It must be so frustrating when you think that your art is maturing nicely with age and that you have so much experience to offer. But that's how it is in some other walks of life, I suppose.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
roslynmuse
|
|
« Reply #1 on: 12:24:32, 04-03-2007 » |
|
Greetings Tony!
This is a wonderfully friendly place, lots of serious and not so serious discussion (check out separated at birth and picture association!) - looking forward to your contributions!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Soundwave
|
|
« Reply #2 on: 12:30:56, 04-03-2007 » |
|
Ho Tony. Welcome. I'm sure that this "place" will suit you down to the ground, so jump in and "lash" about. Cheers  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Ho! I may be old yet I am still lusty
|
|
|
|
John W
|
|
« Reply #3 on: 12:44:58, 04-03-2007 » |
|
Welcome Tony, I think you'll have some good times here!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
oliver sudden
|
|
« Reply #5 on: 13:32:42, 04-03-2007 » |
|
Oh yes - what was it you don't think Schubert understood about the range of the clarinet?
(The pics above: Selmer rosewood contrabass clarinet, Peter van der Poel's Grenser copies, a Buffet Tosca, and Daniel Deitch's Denner and Amlingue copies.)
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
trained-pianist
|
|
« Reply #6 on: 14:46:10, 04-03-2007 » |
|
they look a handsome group of clarinets to me. I love them.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Tony Watson
Guest
|
|
« Reply #7 on: 19:10:05, 04-03-2007 » |
|
Oh yes - what was it you don't think Schubert understood about the range of the clarinet?
Thanks for the replies. I'm sure I'll like it here! I can't hang around much tonight because of this recital I mentioned - Adrian Brendel, son of Alfred. As for the clarinet, it's just that I was looking at Schubert's Octet and 9th Symphony and he never goes below something like middle C. The low notes are very distinctive and it's a shame not to exploit them. (The 9th is written for the more shrill C instrument anyway.) Compare that situation with Beethoven's Septet or Mozart's music for the instrument. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Ian Pace
|
|
« Reply #8 on: 20:03:46, 04-03-2007 » |
|
Greetings Tony (but somehow I still feel I should call you 'Mr Watson')! Really great to see that you've crossed the cyber-Watford Gap and chose to set up home here as well - hope you'll like it here. Having lots of pics to post is no bad thing  Also, in general great to see you after so many years. (for those that don't know, Tony was my Further Maths teacher for A-Level, 20 years ago) |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
'These acts of keeping politics out of music, however, do not prevent musicology from being a political act . . .they assure that every apolitical act assumes a greater political immediacy' - Philip Bohlman, 'Musicology as a Political Act'
|
|
|
|
oliver sudden
|
|
« Reply #9 on: 20:46:49, 04-03-2007 » |
|
Goodness gracious me...  Interesting point about Schubert's clarinet. Of course in Shepherd on the Rock he does indeed write down to if not the clarinet's very lowest note at least its second lowest. On most of the old instruments the lowest notes are surprisingly stuffy - the clarinet was originally built primarily for its high notes. (The earliest clarinet concertos such as Molter's hardly use the low register at all - they stay in nose-bleed territory pretty much from one end to the other.) It was relatively late in the clarinet's history when the lowest notes were used completely freely and Mozart's clarinettist Stadler had a bit to do with that - his instruments had quite large tone-holes in the low range and he preferred playing low parts, even using a clarinet with extra low notes as in the Mozart Quintet and Concerto. Schubert wasn't remotely as well known in his time as Beethoven or Mozart - partly because he wasn't a performing virtuoso as they were, he didn't have access to the same kinds of musicians and performance opportunities. None of his symphonies was performed in public in his lifetime; the Vienna Phil rejected the 'great' C major, the 'unfinished' was unfinished (or at best finished and then promptly dismembered to supply music for other projects) and the earlier works were performed 'in-house' at the Stadtkonvikt. So perhaps he simply didn't have access to performing groups who had clarinettists with the latest hardware? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Tony Watson
Guest
|
|
« Reply #10 on: 10:50:59, 05-03-2007 » |
|
Oliver, they're interesting points that you make. I can imagine that the low notes would not have projected very well in those days.
Ian, always good to hear from you and I'd like to see you again in the near future. You can call anything you want! I had a great time last night, meeting the pianist Tim Horton (a bit younger than you - you might not have known him much) and talking about old times, including you, with nothing but affection. You've revealed you're an old pupil of mine so I'll reveal, in all sincerity, that you are the probably the most talented student I've ever known. And the way you used to play all that difficult modern stuff on the piano with such facility! Tim is playing in a new ensemble in Sheffield called 360 degrees.
But to everyone else, I meant to say in my original message that it was great to see new names too, as well as the old. I certainly don't want to try to turn this into some private club!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Ron Dough
|
|
« Reply #11 on: 13:46:46, 05-03-2007 » |
|
Hello, Tony, welcome.
More and more of the names from the old board are joining us as it becomes clear that the concepts of comfort and support are sadly alien to the new. Many have given up on it altogether, though I hope you'll agree it makes sense to try and defend the position for as long as possible. It's looking very like a text-book siege operation.
Much nicer here, though.
Ron
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Tony Watson
Guest
|
|
« Reply #12 on: 17:19:08, 05-03-2007 » |
|
Thanks for that Ron, and thanks to all the others. I do like your name. At least it doesn't mean that the same message comes round from you every now and then.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
thompson1780
|
 |
« Reply #13 on: 17:51:56, 05-03-2007 » |
|
Glad to have you on board, Tony. Just rad your post on the depression room thread, and feel very much the same as you regarding wanting to help....
....but also just wanted to point out that much of the rest of this forum is very good fun and interesting. And none of the sniping we had got used to at the other place.
Hope you enjoy it!
Tommo
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Made by Thompson & son, at the Violin & c. the West end of St. Paul's Churchyard, LONDON
|
|
|
|
Tony Watson
Guest
|
|
« Reply #14 on: 22:36:39, 05-03-2007 » |
|
Just read your post on the depression room thread
Glad to be here, Tommo, and thanks. I have been trying to find the Depression Room just now with no luck. I even tried using the search facility. I also notice that my postings total has gone down from 10 earlier today to 9 (though this will make it 10 again). Please don't say it's been modded! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
