Klarinet Archive - Posting 000465.txt from 1997/03

From: Adam Calabrese <adam.calabrese@-----.GOV>
Subj: Re: Question for all
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 14:29:25 -0500

>On Fri, 14 Mar 1997, R Tennenbaum wrote:
>
>> Whose playing did you first really dig? Did you first just like the
>> sound of the instrument, then was there someone whose playing knocked
>> you out -- a teacher, another student, Artie Shaw....?

I normally like to post just facts or info, but I'll answer this one.
Here's a different take on the inspiration thing - in that I really wasn't
inspired by one particular individual.

When it was time to start playing a band instrument in my school district
(4th grade), I decided I wanted to try something out because I liked music.
My mother required that I play something that I could easily carry on the
bus. Couldn't play flute - that was for "girls" (remember, this was 4th
grade). I tried a few instruments and settled on the clarinet. I had some
natural talent, worked hard, and became good. I had good band directors in
jr high and a very good high school director and band, along with peers
that challenged me. Once I got to a certain level of proficiency, I decided
I liked playing clarinet even more, and continued through college, part of
grad school, and today (after a 4 year hiatus).

I didn't start to listen to solo recordings until college really, and never
took what I'd call serious lessons until college. I'd just say I was
motivated to play by the band program and peers in school. My instructor in
college had a *lot* to do with my increased level of proficiency and
musical awareness. Heck, I still took lessons from him 2.5 years after I
ceased to be a music major.

Sorry, no stories about the famous Stoltzman recording of the Rossini piece
for me. I guess I'll have to go find that recording. Stoltzman did inspire
me at one point, though. I got to see him play while I was in college in
the mid-80's. The gig was with a string quartet (I don't remember if it was
Tashi). I guess this sounds pretty bad, seeing one of the pre-eminent
clarinetists of the day and not remembering what he played, but I haven't
thought about it in a long time! Guess I'll have to dig through some boxes
and see if I still have the program.

Anyhow, the main reason I played the clarinet was because I could easily
carry it on the bus.

Later,

-Adam Calabrese
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899