Klarinet Archive - Posting 000364.txt from 1998/01

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: leister recording
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 1998 19:53:27 -0500

On Wed, 7 Jan 1998, Roger Garrett wrote:

> While Karl Leister's recording is not what Shifrin's, Marcellus', or Pay's
> is, he has many other wonderful recordings out. I hope you will try to
> find them. Some worth noting:
>
> Crusell Concertos
> Spohr Concertos
> Brahms Trio
> Brahms Quintet

Well, at least one person has the integrity to try more than
a single recording before passing conclusive judgment. Thanks
for that, Roger. Leister's recordings of the Crussel and Spohr
concerti are absolutely remarkable, and his Brahms sonatas
recording is unbelievable. I, too, am not completely enamored
of his Mozart concerto recordings (he made more than one), but
to conclude from Leister's Mozart interpretation that he lacks
inspiration or expression...is more a suggestion of mediocrity
in the listener's mind than in Leister's playing. He isn't
everybody's cup of tea, but he wasn't principal clarinet of
the Berlin Philharmonic for over 30 years for nothing. I do
find that his style is more attenuated in terms of dynamics,
and this fact is actually consistent with the German style.

One of the astonishing elements of his artistry is that he
makes everything -- and I mean everything -- sound completely
effortless. It's as if doing 2-octave staccato leaps at break-
neck speed (i.e.; in one of the Spohr recordings) is as difficult
for him as playing a slow C Major scale. For some listeners, this
might be a little disconcerting, because we're accustomed to hearing
some kind of change in the intensity of the player's effort. Leister
is so consistent that it's easy to think that there's something wrong.
He doesn't play in the style of the American or British schools, with
their broader range of dynamics. His style is much more relaxed and
controlled. I still believe that there is something to be admired
and enjoyed in his performances, right alongside Drucker and Stoltz-
man at the other extreme.

Like Roger said, listen to some of his other recordings in
addition to the Mozart. And listen to the Berlin Phil recordings
like the '66 Beethoven symphony cycle and other works during Karajan's
reign. The clarinet playing as superb.

Neil