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Why’s the clarinet such a neglected instrument?

Apart from Benny Goodman and Mozart to some extent, few have accorded the clarinet the respect it deserves. I heard part of the Aaron Copland clarinet concerto on the New York Times a few weeks ago and went on a desperate drive to hunt down the whole track online, but it was all in vain. The instrument needs a savior desperately.

And I can never understand why people still play the cello. There should be a harassment tax imposed on any musician who plays this wretched instrument!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Listen to Yoyo Ma and you may revise your opinion!
Deepanjan said…
Yoyo Ma is indeed an exception. But I am not alone in disliking the cello. Many famous composers have criticized it too. I think it was Mozart who said the the cello sounds like a bee flying in a jug!
Anonymous said…
If you like dixieland style swing music listen to Pete Fountain on the clarinet.Also more or less in that genre is Acker Bilk.His 'Stranger on the Shore' was a favourite of mine when I was much younger!
Deepanjan said…
I'm listening to Pete Fountain as I type this message. Thanks, I'm liking it! :)
Deepanjan said…
Acker Bilk...he's a fairly recent discovery for me. I remember being enthralled by 'Stranger on the Shore' the first time I heard it. I played it repeatedly.
Thanks!

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