Klarinet Archive - Posting 000865.txt from 1996/03

From: "ALLEN J. BUFFINGTON" <ajbuffington@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Vaclav Nelhybel
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 1996 13:52:54 -0500

Two weeks ago, we had the opportunity to talk to Vaclav Nelhybel. We had
called to ask if it were possible to acquire a work that was no longer in
print. Not only was he pleasant about the whole situation, but sent us a
copy of the piece, free of charge.

I had the opportunity of playing clarinet in a wind ensemble conducted by
Vaclav Nelhybel. We were performing one of his compositions that required
a very soft chime part at the beginning. The young lady that was playing the
chimes was fairly short and could not reach the chimes without the air of
a coke crate (the old wooden kind). Well, as it happened, someone moved the
crate before rehearsal. Nelhybel gave the downbeat and she hit the chimes,
and too hard for Nelhybel's taste. He lept from the podium with his fist
raise and shaking in the air, yelling "You brute, you brute". Needless to
say, the girl was in tears, and Nelybel, in the process, had landed on the
principal flautist's foot.

It ended well. Nelhybel apologized to both young ladies and conducted a
wonderful concert. I'll always remember that story as well as possessing a
copy of the program, autographed by Vaclav Nelhybel.

Allen Buffington
Southern Arkansas University