Klarinet Archive - Posting 000172.txt from 1995/01

From: "Steven E. Klimowski" <sklimows@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Lighten Up
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 1995 10:28:56 -0500

On Wed, 4 Jan 1995, David A. GILMAN wrote:

> Today, I read several rather amusing messages from the list
> regarding several musicians currently in the public eye. Some respondants
> have compared Richard Stolzman to certain popular musicians such as Kenny G
> and Yanni. First of all, while I don't like some of Stolzman's antics
> [Dan, is it really true that he "streaked" the audience at one of his New
> York concerts?!?] or all of his interpretations, I greatly respect his
> daring. He actually has the nerve to try something new with the standard
> repertoire, which is much more than many of us classical musicians would
> ever do. In this regard, he transcends Kenny G and Yanni, because their
> product is strictly derivative.
> But while I speak of these two, why must we vilify them so?
> Clearly, no trained, dedicated musician would take them seriously as
> artists. But, they seem to understand something many "serious artists" have
> forgotten, if they ever knew it at all: how to make people feel good. Our
> purpose as performing artists is not only to educate, enlighten, and
> experiment, but also to entertain. The truly great artist does all of these
> things and enjoys doing all of them. If we lose sight of this, our
> audience may well lose sight of us.
> David Gilman
>
David,
I wish I had said this. If our music doesn't edify it is as good as a
text book only and we short change the real power of the art form. As
clarinetists let us not be more concerned with clarinetistry than we are
with the art of music.

Thanks for the posting Dave.

Steve Klimowski

   
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