Klarinet Archive - Posting 000142.txt from 1997/03

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Burt Hara - Leaving Phila.
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 1997 13:08:05 -0500

This was in Tuesday's Phila. Inquirer. I'll consider auditioning this
time, if they don't hire from the previous audition.

The Philadelphia Inquirer Entertainment

Tuesday, March 4, 1997
On Music By Daniel Webster

First clarinetist has second thoughts

After scarcely three months as principal clarinetist of the Philadelphia
Orchestra, Burt Hara has decided to return to his former position with the
Minnesota Orchestra.

Hara, 33, joined the Philadelphians in September -- just in time for the
64-day strike.

He told the orchestra management that he has decided to return to
Minneapolis to be near his two children, who live with his former wife.

Like many players who leave one orchestra for another, Hara had hedged his
decision by taking a year's leave of absence from the Minnesota Orchestra.
An orchestra spokesman said Hara will complete the subscription season
here, and play at the Mann Music Center and the three-week season at
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

A California native, Hara studied at the Curtis Institute. After graduation
in 1984, he became the principal clarinetist in the Alabama Symphony before
taking the Minnesota position nearly 10 years ago.

His appointment here last year -- along with that of violist Roberto Diaz
-- completed the orchestra's most comprehensive renewal of principal
players in recent times. Since Wolfgang Sawallisch became music director in
1993, he has engaged principal players for the violin, viola, clarinet,
trumpet, trombone, harp and bass sections.
Radiothon. The Philadelphia Orchestra's Radiothon produced pledges and
checks totaling $250,000, down almost $50,000 from last year.

The event is in its seventh year. Members of the orchestra's volunteer
committees, who organize it, stressed regionalism by holding it at the King
of Prussia mall.

The event also reflected a leap of faith for the volunteer committees that
mount the event, for the orchestra's 64-day strike last fall shortened the
preparation time to about six weeks. Susan Gould, chairman of the
orchestra's volunteer committees, said ``We didn't feel we could start work
with the strike still on. We couldn't solicit gifts or ask for pledges. We
have had to do six months' work in six weeks.''

The volunteer committees run fund-raising events throughout the year, and
were holding a major benefit the week the orchestra went on strike in
September. The party, at the Franklin Institute, offered paradoxical
images: players picketing outside while contributors arrived to support the
ensemble. Players were photographed that night delivering an armful of
roses to members of the committees.

Gould said the committees continued fund-raising activity during the strike.

Of the radiothon, she said that the new location in the King of Prussia
mall was ``a good idea. It shows the orchestra's eagerness to get out into
the community.''

The radiothon was broadcast on WFLN-FM Feb. 21-23. It offered products and
premiums to people who phoned pledges and who bid in the auction of
premiums to the orchestra. Last year's event, held at One Liberty Place,
produced nearly $300,000.

Gould said the radiothon was used this year for the first time to solicit
memberships in the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. Kiosks throughout
the mall were open through the weekend to encourage people to become
members and buy T shirts, caps, totes, CDs and all the other items.

On a stage set up outside Bloomingdale's, performing groups offered music
and dance through the weekend, and an upscale scavenger hunt was held in
the Neiman Marcus store. For a $100 ticket, guests searched for clues in
the store and competed for 150 prizes, with dinner afterward.

Award winner. During his recent four-week stay here, awards were heaped
around Wolfgang Sawallisch.

On Feb. 16, the German Society presented the maestro with its Founder's
Medal, following Sawallisch's guest appearance as pianist with the Wister
String Quartet, which presents a series at the auditorium and library at
Sixth and Spring Garden Streets. Sawallisch has appeared at the society
before.

On Jan. 29, after Sawallisch accompanied orchestra concertmaster Erez Ofer
in a recital, the Musical Fund Society presented him with a framed citation
honoring his musical service to Philadelphia.

The Musical Fund Society is the oldest such organization in America, formed
in 1820 to aid aging and disabled musicians. It now produces concerts,
sponsors young musicians and holds occasional competitions for composers.

Sawallisch also received the Distinguished Certificate of Merit Award from
the Matinee Musical Club.

The award was made during the club's concert at the Academy of Music
ballroom. Violinist James Czeiner was the featured young artist. The club,
more than a century old, promotes young musicians and presents them in
concerts.

When Sawallisch left here late in February, it was to return to Munich,
where the Bavarian State Opera was mounting a celebration in the Cuvielles
Theater marking his 50 years in German opera houses. He signed on Jan. 1,
1947, as coach and choral director of the municipal theater in Augsburg.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia Online -- The Philadelphia Inquirer, Entertainment --
Copyright Tuesday, March 4, 1997

David C. Blumberg
Principal Clarinet Riverside Symphonia
reedman@-----.com