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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000008.txt from 2006/02
From: "Wai Kit Leung" <wkleung11@-----.com>
Subj: [DR-L] RE: Ray Still/Heinz Holliger
Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 13:34:51 -0500
Dear Rhondda,
Thanks for your comments. I have to admit that I went a bit overboard with
my comment to Mr. Still's statement. I was disappointed because, being a
fine player and teacher that he was, Mr. Still shouldn't have made remarks
like that (and I really doubt if he could have backed that up).
It wasn't the first time that I heard a prominent American oboist
denigrating Mr. Holliger or other great European oboists. I was in the
masterclass of a prominent American oboist (whose identity I would rather
not disclose) and in front of a whole class of budding oboists, she publicly
denigrated Mr. Holliger, saying something to the effect of "yeah his playing
is flashy, but nothing more than that ... you can't judge a singer, voice
aside ...". Basically she was preaching against the European schools of
oboe-playing. We should bear in mind that internationally (US aside) Mr.
Holliger is considered by most the absolute best (a view shared by top
oboists, including Hansjorg Schellenberger and David Walter). It is a very
narrow-minded approach by some in the US that whoever doesn't sound like
their teachers sounds bad. It's like "whoever is not with us is against us"
(from a certain presidential speech a few years ago).
I think I have said more than enough. Let's sit back and enjoy Mr.
Holliger's (and others') artistry and enjoy their respective tones.
Sincerely,
Wai Kit Leung
***************************************************************************
From: Rhondda May <rmay@-----.com>
To: doublereed@-----.org
Subject: Re: [DR-L] RE: Ray Still/Heinz Holliger
Sent: February 1, 2006 12:46:58 AM
No, it's also a matter of where a musician wants to put his time and effort.
For Mr. Still, the ability to wiggle one's fingers fast was not what playing
the oboe was about. The same goes for Mr. Bloom and many, many other great
oboists, American, English, European, whatever.
It's really about the different personalities involved. It's one person
comparing another's priorities to his own and saying, "I don't understand
why that is his priority."
You should not say such things about people who were giants in their time.
It's rude and very disrespectful. Yes, this is a flippant comment that does
not reflect well on the person who *allegedly* made it. But that does not
give you or anyone else on this list the right to insult Mr. Still.
Your comments to not add anything to rational discourse.
Rhondda May
Hong Kong
On 1 Feb 06, at 6:29 AM, Wai Kit Leung wrote:
Of course I know very well factors other than reeds affect the tone one
produces on the oboe (or on the bassoon for that matter). Does that make
Mr. Still any more capable of approaching Mr. Holliger's virtuosity on the
oboe? Brighter tone --> faster technique? I don't think so.
A bit of sour grape from a less capable (but by no means not good) oboist I
suppose.
Wai Kit Leung
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