Comments on: Go on!

By: Kenneth Woods

Kenneth Woods — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:15:09 +0000

A friend just asked me if this post reveals a certain anti-clarinettist attitude on my part. Of course not- as they say, some of my best friends play the clarinet. If anything, it seems that my descrption of conductors as sweating, mucous oozing slobs reveals more bias….

By: Anne-Lise

Anne-Lise — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:46:53 +0000

I thought I had to share this with you.

Dress rehearsal today. On our stands was Romanian dances by Bartók. Conductor says: ‘I’m going to play this attaca.’(Remember: it’s in the score!) The only person who protests is the principal clarinettist. And not even because he has to change instruments, but because he has to turn his page!

By: Crystal

Crystal — Thu, 29 May 2008 05:52:37 +0000

I am not a classical musician and always have thought of them as very prim and proper – nice to know that they are not only that!
Your writing made me laugh out loud – great way to start the day!

By: Anne-Lise

Anne-Lise — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:57:59 +0000

Brilliant, especially your thoughts on clarinettists.

By: portland people

portland people — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:13:11 +0000

Attacca! Attacca!

By: ComposerBastard

ComposerBastard — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:09:29 +0000

This is brilliant Ken. Absolutely brilliant insight. Brilliant stories in here…great post. Where you find these thoughts?

“…A strap fell off her dress in the first movement, but since all the movements were attacca, it was not until the encore that she was able to repair the wardrobe malfunction….”

This also inspires me to write my current violin work with a minimum of 8 movements all attacca instead of the usual 3. And all forza, and maybe presto to boot.

Of course the purpose would be somewhat mundane and uninteresting when played by a Nakid Contemporary Ensemble.