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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!

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Comments

Anonymous said…
Listen to Yoyo Ma and you may revise your opinion!
Thursday, November 03, 2011 2:54:00 PM
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!
Thursday, November 03, 2011 2:57:00 PM
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!
Monday, November 21, 2011 3:18:00 PM
Deepanjan said…
I'm listening to Pete Fountain as I type this message. Thanks, I'm liking it! :)
Monday, November 21, 2011 6:02:00 PM
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!
Monday, November 21, 2011 6:05:00 PM
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