Klarinet Archive - Posting 000028.txt from 1996/04

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Clarinet CD's
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 21:22:03 -0500

Neil,
As far as I know, Marcellus was never interested in the
"authentic performance style" of old music. I like this recording mostly
because the orchestra is so wonderful that even if the clarinet part
isn't the most exciting playing (It is tasteful, and nicely phrased but
rather one-dimensional, IMO), the piece is a joy to listen to. Too often
orchestras accompanying soloists tend to go through the motions, leaving
a performance flat. The Cleveland under Szell was famous for NOT doing
that and this performance is a case in point.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Sat, 30 Mar 1996, Neil Leupold wrote:

> Yes, the Marcellus/Szell recording of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto is on the
> CBS "Great Performances" series, UPC 0746437810. I haven't checked my Schwann
> catalogue lately, but I would be surprised if this album is still in print.
>
> At the time of its release, I seem to remember it being touted as THE American
> model of style for that piece. I didn't actually hear that recording
> until many years later, and I guess I must have fallen victim to the
> hype. I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be, although I still
> liked it very much. By the time I heard it, I'd also heard Neidich's basset
> clarinet recording with Orpheus, as well as one of Stoltzman's two or three
> recordings of it (probably with the English Chamber Orchestra, or maybe
> the Mostly Mozart Festival orchestra under Alexander Schneider, who I
> believe has since passed away), plus DePeyer's, one of Leister's, and Andrew
> Marriner's.
>
> Does anybody know what concept Marcellus had in mind when he made that famous
> recording? Did he have it in mind to adhere as closely as possible to
> the performance practices of it's late 18th century genesis (short of
> actually playing it on a basset clarinet)? Why was it considered a hallmark
> among performances of that piece? Why is it, to this day, still somewhat
> revered as a notable interpretation?
>
> Neil
>
>
> On Sat, 30 Mar 1996, Cynthia Kay Matthews wrote:
>
> > Joel,
> > If I were you, I would buy the Robert Marcellus recording of the Mozart
> > concerto, played with the Cleveland Orchestra. It is truly outstanding.
> > I think it is on the "Great Performances" label.
> >
> > Cindy Matthews
> > Denton, TX
> >
>