Klarinet Archive - Posting 000436.txt from 1998/01

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: leister recording
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 04:41:12 -0500

Re the "bad" Leister recording: I wonder why the recording engineer wasn't
doing his job...
Roger Shilcock

On Thu, 8 Jan 1998, GTGallant wrote:

> Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 13:54:58 EST
> From: GTGallant <GTGallant@-----.com>
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: leister recording
>
> In response and defense to all the negative comments regarding my post, I have
> compiled some data and ideas to share with you. First, let me start by saying
> I don't think I know it all. I'm only a student of the clarinet at this
> point. I do have opinions, and sometimes make huge generalizations, but that
> is the way I write (with grandiose sarcasm). Does one need to make recordings
> to know what sounds good or bad? I think not. I like a certain type of
> player and sound production, just as many of you do. However, I hae trouble
> believing one could protect professional level "music" that was obviously
> inferior (technique, tone, unexpressive) and pass it off as stylistic. I'm
> not a music historian, but I think I know what the periods of music
> expected/required - Classical, Romantic, etc.
>
> I had the displeasure of listening to Leister's Spohr recording last night,
> which I found at the local university library. Just as expected, boring! A
> little while ago, I was in a masterclass with the great player Jonathan
> Cohler. We did some orchestral exerpts and solo pieces. One of the exerpts
> was Beethoven 6, and Mr. Cohler happened to have a recording. The clarinet
> was totally off and not with the orchestra. Also, none of the marked dynamics
> were played. After we listened, he made us try and guess who the clarinetist
> was, mentioning that the individual was very famous and considered great.
> Karl Leister! Just because someone plays in an orchestra and clarinet for 30
> or so years, does that make them great? I know plenty of people who have been
> playing clarinet for over 15 or more years and still don't get it. I am a
> natual skeptic and challenge what others tell me is the truth or "the right
> way". I search for answers on my own and let the ears do the deciding for me.
> Do not get emotional, these are only my opinions and mean nothing.
>
> I was going to provide a list of players I admire along with reasons, but I
> feel it would be a waste of space. Everybody has their own opinions of what
> is good, and that's ok. I hope people use their ears and open minds (like
> myself) to judge and not on what somebody else told them.
>