Klarinet Archive - Posting 000395.txt from 1997/05

From: David Frank <Dave81477@-----.net>
Subj: RE: 20th Century Clarinet
Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 16:08:49 -0400

It's hard to not agree with others that Goodman is to 20th century
clarinet literature as Muhlfeld and Stadler were to their respective
periods. However consider the circumstances, timing, and active
composers available during Goodman's career. Goodman reigned over
popular and jazz music in the 40's and 50's, and in many ways was larger
than life.........perhaps in the post-war time Americans wanted to
treasure this form of an exciting release. I think this amplified the
critical appreciation of his classical playing, perhaps in a similar way
that crowds love David Helfgott's piano performances. Perhaps also
during Goodman's career there weren't other prominent classical clarinet
soloists? Does anyone know? I think Goodman benefitted greatly by being
around during the composing careers of a number of gifted composers
whose style was more readily acceptable to listening audiences.......i.e
Copland, Bernstein, etc.

My personal vote to answer this question would go to Stoltzman. He
certainly has inspired compositions for the clarinet in the past and I'm
sure many more to come. Certainly all of William Thomas McKinley's works
for clarinet were written for Stoltzman, the best of which I think is
his Sonata. Lukas Foss has also written a number of great works for him.
And on his contemporary jazz and "new age" style recordings, many
original compositions there have been written for him, particularly Bill
Douglas. I think they're great tunes, and Stoltzman's ability to shift
between these idioms is a unique gift. I suspect there are many other
classical clarinet works composed for Stoltzman I haven't mentioned, and
more to come. His playing is an inspiration to me.......others have
mentioned the recording of the Copland Concerto.......Stoltzman's is
breathtaking. I believe if his career was timed like Goodman, Muhlfeld,
and Stadler's, we'd see many great pieces from great composers. Anyway,
those are my thoughts.......

David Frank, Seattle

   
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