Klarinet Archive - Posting 000682.txt from 1996/10

From: "David B. Niethamer" <niethamer@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: deliberate innuendos, Leister
Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 22:51:30 -0400

>Frances Robinson wrote:
>
>> Neil,
>> Are these deliberate innuendos so the brits on this list can laugh at
>> them? Or ar they unintentional? Or is it just cause I'm a fourth year and
>> the half-term vibes are giving me a dirty mind?
>
>> PS who is karl leister???
>
>Karl Leister was the principal clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic
>Orchestra for approximately 30 years

Seeing innuendo and Leister mentioned in the same message reminds me of
one of the truly funny bits of double entendre I've ever heard. I was at
the ICA conference in Toronto in 1978, and Leister was there, playing the
Mozart and Brahms Quintets, a solo recital later in the week, and some
master classes. Since at the time Leister's English wasn't flawless, he
spoke through an interpreter, who happended to be the officious hall
manager who made us wait in the hall until five minutes before each
event, when he would finally unlock the doors to the auditorium.

Someone asked Leister about mouthpieces, and he began to expound. The
(non-clarinetist) translator followed, until a quizzical look crossed his
face, as Leister said, "In order to have a good sound, your mouthpiece
must have "a good lay" (at least as a musical term, unknown to the
intrepid translator!). The look, and the phrase, and the obvious
confusion of the translator resulted in uproarious laughter for all
assembled! A wonderful moment!

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
niethamer@-----.edu
dbnclar1@-----.com
http://users.aol.com/dbnclar1/