Klarinet Archive - Posting 000648.txt from 1997/07

From: Sherman Friedland <sherman@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: Death of Rosario Mazzeo
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 23:27:06 -0400

I studied with Rosario Mazzeo from 1957 until 1961. He was ,without a
doubt the most influential being in my musical life as well as in all other
avenues. He had developed the Mazzeo System clarinet, an instrument that
literally freed the player from useless superflua that impeded musics way.
I was, at first skeptical, then more accepting until I finally used a set
of his own which I found to be a way to achieve a fluidity and a more
musical approach to what it is we do, and, although by mechanical means,
the results had to do with sensitivity, and musicality

Even though the instruments never came into popular usage, it was not that
they were not equal to the task of eliminating certain difficulties, for
they were. What prevented wide utilization was availibility of only one
make and perhaps one or two to try, rather than the wide array of
instruments available. During my retirement concert on June 1, 1997, I was
plagued by DeQuarvains Syndrome, an extremely painful ligament problem in
my left wrist. It was only with Rosario's instrument that I was able to
play the concert.
Like many other of his students I have always taken photographs and
organized concerts and tried to lead as he so well did and I am absolutely
positive it was his influence that helped as he has been always in my mind.

What a force existed at the New England Conservatory in Room 23 on Saturday
mornings, for that is when he held forth. At that period all attended his
master class and the night before all of us hunted for our best reed, for
there was an ordeal to be faced in the morning.

There was no time to swab, hardly a time to think, this was the intensity
of the man. This was unquestionably the finest playing of all of our lives,
for only perfection was accepted. The competition was incredible as it was
and is in the business of earning a position in an orchestra, so this was
incredible preparation from a man who had done it all, including the BSO
and the BSO audition process which has become the world model.

I knew that he had been quite ill, but I had always hoped that he would be
able to retain his original plan of living until 120. He told us he had
plans until then. I and all of those whose path he crossed will remember
him with respect and affection always.

Sherman Friedland