Klarinet Archive - Posting 000464.txt from 1997/03

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Stoltzman Rossini
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 14:29:24 -0500

On Fri, 14 Mar 1997, Peter Stoll wrote:

> I had the same reaction, I think I was 14, and I just couldn't believe my
> ears. Thing is, having played the piece for for over 1O years now, I
> STILL can't believe the man's control, and incredible musicality with the
> phrasing, especially the intro.

His recording of Weber's Concerto #1 is rife with that same wonderful
fluidity of phrasing and youthful organic flow. I believe that
performance is on the same RCA disc as his Rossini recording. I
idolized Stoltzman when I was younger. I am no longer enamored of
his playing, especially his string of tacky pseudo-jazz output over
the last ten years or so. But the two recordings - the Rossini and
Weber - will always be landmark performances in my mind. As for his
schmaltz, the buzz at RCA is that he is one of the top-grossing artists
on their roster. A friend of mine works in A&R at BMG Classics (which
distributes RCA Red Seal - Stoltzman's label). Given the hilarious
story of Stoltzman's streaking a New York performance, it's no wonder
he's known around the BMG corporate offices as "Dick". ;o

Neil