Klarinet Archive - Posting 000395.txt from 1996/10

From: jjarvie@-----.nz
Subj: Dan Leeson and the Italian school
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 18:53:56 -0400

To add my own two pennies:

I was in Rome about 10 years ago and heard a chamber concert with a clarinet
player whose name escapes me but I believe was principal in the RAI radio
orchestra. The concert was given in an outdoor courtyard on a perfect summer
evening. It included (I think) the Stravinsky 3 pieces, Bartok Contrasts and an
Hungarian gypsy piece.

My overwhelming memory is of the player being extremely technically competent
but having NO distinct Italian characteristics. He was playing Buffet Prestige
clarinets and could have been any good international or American player.

While I find the loss of the different clarinet playing schools sad, the
disappearance of the French bassoon school in a single generation is a complete
tragedy.

John Jarvie

phone +64 (9) 303 0749
fax +64 (9) 309 4947
e-mail jjarvie@-----.nz
xtr180621@-----.nz