[Dixielandjazz] From Muhlfeld to Kell - Classical Clarinet Vibrato

[Steve Barbone]

Here's one reason why Reginald Kell used vibrato. Note the connectors from
Muhlfeld to Charles Draper to Haydn Draper to Reginald Kell. (Note also
Goodman and Hucko studied with Kell)

Amazing how music develops. Even if Goodman & Hucko did not use much vibrato
as Kell, Drapper and Muhlfeld did. <grin>

Cheers,
Steve Barbone


Charles Draper (1869-1952) once was aptly called the Grandfather of English
Clarinettists. Draper studied with the well-known Henry Lazarus and Julian
Egerton. Influenced by the playing of Manual Gomez he changed from the
simple system to the Boehm clarinet. Among other appointments he played in
Queen Victora's private band. As a teacher he had a profound influence on
the ENGLISH clarinet style, a style which he DERIVED FROM the playing of
MUHLFELD whom he heard performing Brahms's works for the clarinet. His
pupils included Frederick Thurston and his nephew HAYDN DRAPER.
     

Reginald Kell (1906-1981) won a scholarship to study with HAYDN DRAPER at
the Royal Academy of Music from 1929 to 1932. He was principle clarinettist
in several British orchestras before emigrating to the USA, where he taught,
made recordings and published a Kell Method. His Boehm clarinets are
preserved in our collection. Peanuts Hucko, Jose Ferrer und Harrison
Birtwistle and Benny Goodman for example studied with Kell.