Klarinet Archive - Posting 000625.txt from 1996/03

From: Ed Wojtowicz <EWOJ@-----.COM>
Subj: Steve Girko
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 1996 21:43:54 -0500

>>>Steve Girko, principal of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, has a tiny,
bright,
micro-focused sound which pokes through the orchestra like a needle.......the
sound itself is very small. Sometimes
he sounds like he's on Eb. Because it is SO focused (and yes, with an
edge)........

I would like to offer a contrasting viewpoint-

Of course, we all seem to have a different concept of the ideal sound, and I
don't know what recordings or live performances are referred to here. I have
heard many recordings where I think Steve has a great sound which I admire
greatly (Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances comes to mind as a fine recording). I
have not heard him live, but from what I hear on some of his recordings, I
would describe his sound as full, ringing, clear, colorful, focused and not
extreme in any way, but a fine example of a balanced sound. I find it
refreshing to hear a clarinetist who can project and add a distinct and
vibrant color to the wind section. Some players seem so concerned with a
covered sound, that (to my ears) the clarinet sometimes gets buried and is
lost in the orchestra.

Maybe we can do this as a point/counterpoint thing on 60 Minutes?

Ed