Categories: concerts
Tags: music, concert, clarinet
Date: 13 October 2005 15:08:02
One good thing about being at university, particularly one with a half decent music department, is that lots of free concerts get put on. I went to one this lunchtime, an Australian clarinettist called Ros Dunlop (who teaches clarinet at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and who, I thought, looked just like the wibsite's very own Miffy) who did a number of very modern compositions, none of which I knew before. I really enjoyed it, particularly the first few pieces, though much like modern art and modern winetasting some of the programme notes really wouldn't have been out of place in Pseud's Corner.
She reminded me though why I was never going to be a professional clarinettist. She was SO good. I was utterly in awe of the flutter tongueing, slap tongueing and multiphonics, I was never able to do any of that. And, even more impressive, her control of the notes in the really high register was awesome. Most people (me included these days) would only have that level of control at quite a high volume. She played perfectly up there, not losing the depth or quality of tone, even at pianissimo. Incredible.