Klarinet Archive - Posting 000892.txt from 1996/03

From: Anne Bullwinkel <bullwinkel@-----.EDU>
Subj: Vaclav Nelhybel
Date: Sun, 31 Mar 1996 22:19:32 -0500

I may not have ever played any of his pieces, but I am lucky to have
been as closely "connected/associated" with him as I was. Last year, he
attended the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band concert. I was a member of that
band and felt especially emotional when our guest director brought him up on
stage to introduce him to us and us to him. We immediately gave him a standing
ovation to which he seemed surprised, yet pleased. He was a very polite
gentleman, giving us a few words of praise and encouragement before the concert
began.
This past semester, my college (Marywood), in association with the
Univeristy of Scranton, performed one of his pieces (and possibly commissioned
it, I'm not sure) at the PCCA festival at Marywood. Again, he was in the
audience, and again he received a standing ovation when introduced to those of
us in the audience.
When one of the teachers at my student teaching site brought in the
obituary, I was extremely saddened by his passing. However, it was touching
to see all four of the music teachers present immediately make plans with the
other teachers in the area to attend the viewing. I was unable to attend, but
was heartened that so many musicians were so touched by this man's life. I'm
sure he would have been surprised and pleased to have seen the numbers of
musicians attending his final farewell, as he was surprised and pleased to have
received the standing ovations. I am glad I was introduced, however briefly,
to the man, and I hope he will live in all our memories.

Anne Bullwinkel
Marywood College,
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Bullwinkel@-----.edu

Ah, before I send this, I do remember playing his "Festivo" on oboe for my
high school orchestra several years ago... beautiful piece.