Klarinet Archive - Posting 000481.txt from 1997/08

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: Stolzmann criticism
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 20:57:37 -0400

I heard Stolzmann in person last night at Ravinia.

I agree that he is an "entertainer" ..... a "popularizer"

I also have seldom enjoyed a recital so much.

I hate "dry" performances where the players look and act like little stick
figures. Where no one cracks a smile...or where the performers look bored or
scared.

Stoltzmann's playing was uneven......he played some Gershwin pieces to start,
and sounded stiff. His Hindemith Sonata (Rondo only) had a few mistakes.

However...he ended the recital with the Bernstein Sonata.......I have NEVER
heard it played better. Technically excellent, great control of dynamics,
"shimmering" tone quality that I actually envied. His use of vibrato was very
appropriate for that piece. Lukas Foss was the pianist - It was an absoutely
first class performance. They captured the "spirit" of the piece.......the
young emerging talent of Bernstein......Perfectly.

My hat is off to Stolzmann..............