Klarinet Archive - Posting 000384.txt from 1998/01

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: leister recording
Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 03:57:37 -0500

What's so important about "Exciting?" I *can* think of more worthy
qualities.
Roger Shilcock

On Wed, 7 Jan 1998, Fred Jacobowitz wrote:

> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 1998 14:17:50 -0500 (EST)
> From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: leister recording
>
>
> G,
> Do you dare give your name, by the way? If you are going to pan a
> recording you should at least own up to it. That said, RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!
> I couldn't agree with you more. I have ranted on the list before about
> 'orchestra drones' whose only concern is clean technique and a "beautiful"
> sound. Leister is one of these. He is not, in my opinion, a major musical
> talent. In fact, I would venture that there is not one major symphony
> clarinetist in the world with the exception of Stanley Drucker, who is an
> exciting (if sometimes controversial) soloist. If you go back a few years
> in the archives you'll find my rantings. I think you'll enjoy them.
>
> Fred Jacobowitz
> Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory
>
> On Wed, 7 Jan 1998, GTGallant wrote:
>
> > After hearing about Karl Leister over and over on the list and elsewhere, I
> > stumbled upon a recording of the Mozart concerto. I was very displeased with
> > what I heard. He has a nice, clear tone and plays evenly, but any
> > professional worth their salt can, or should at minimum, be able to play even
> > and clean. The playing lacked a sense of pacing, had NO dynamics other than
> > mezzoforte, and was extremely dead. The recording most likely was done before
> > period performance knowledge, so I ignored all the wrong notes he played. I
> > had the impression from others that Leister was "the man"! I'm not trying to
> > object just for the sake of objecting about his playing style. Most
> > orchestral players today (and some soloists) play like Leister simply because
> > they were taught that way. Clarinetists tend to be less of musicians than
> > say, a violinist or singer - IMHO. I really disliked and laughed when I heard
> > the recording and will keep it as a reminder of how not to play. Maybe the
> > clarinet is not popular today is because of the stereotypes our "great"
> > players have created.
> >
> > Does anyone else feel the same, or am I alone?
> >
>
>