Klarinet Archive - Posting 000717.txt from 1998/11

From: Farfl <farfl@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: [kl] bass clarinet CD
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 07:51:29 -0500

Ben, I am a serious student of Klezmer, and I'm aware of all of the history you
include in your e-mail. I equate Fiedman to Kenny G. because I consider him as a
showman, and a shmaltzy player. Krecht, Krecht. It's interesting how our
opinions differ. Actually, a listen to any of the 78s in our archive holdings
will prove that Fiedman is nothing like the real masters; Brandwine, Beckerman
(Shloimke), Max Weissman, et al. I only made my comment to the list because I
was afraid that the gentleman inquiring would buy a Fiedman CD and mistakingly
think that Fiedman is the best that Klezmer has to offer.
Regards,
Steven

Benjamin A. Maas wrote:

> Not to start a Flame war, but how could you possibly equate Giora Fiedman to
> Kenny G?!
>
> I (and many other people I know) consider Fiedman to be the best example of
> Klezmer music. The word Klezmer comes from the Hebrew words that mean
> literally "instrument of song." He is one of the most lyrical, soulful
> players of any sort I have ever heard. His style is very "old-world" for
> lack of a better description... Rather than playing lots of notes, (as
> many newer Klezmer bands do), he emphasizes the soul of the music.
>
> Today, most of the "klezmer" we hear is a result of a combination of the old
> world music and the 1920's vaudeville music that the original players were
> forced to play (to earn a living) when they got to this country. It is a
> hybrid music now, but Fiedman doesn't play in this style.
>
> Regarding Bass clarinet CDs, check out Spasm by Michael Lowenstern (New
> World Records #80468-2), Roger Heaton's CD on Clarinet Classics (#CC 0009),
> and Renate Rusche's CD on the DG Scene CD (MDG 624 0556-2). Spasm has
> compositions for Bass Clarinet by and written for Lowenstern, The Heaton has
> a variety of stuff (including several pieces where he plays all the parts in
> a clarinet choir), and the Rusche has the Schoeck Sonata, Genzmer sonata,
> Erdmann concerto and a couple other pieces.
>
> --Ben
>
> Benjamin Maas
> Clarinetist and Digital Recording Engineer
> Student, University of Southern California
> Executive Director, Digital Renaissance Consort
> bmaas@-----.net
> bmaas@-----.edu
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Farfl <farfl@-----.ca>
> To: klarinet@-----.org>
> Date: Tuesday, November 17, 1998 7:59 PM
> Subject: [kl] bass clarinet CD
>
> >I think you should be forewarned that Giora Fiedman is the Kenny G. of the
> Klezmer
> >world. He should not be taken as a good example of what Klezmer music is.
> What
> >type of music are you interested in? If you're looking for bass clarinet
> music of
> >any type, you may want to check out
> >Eric Dolphy
> >Flip Phillips
> >Ben Goldberg
> >etc.......
> >Regards,
> >Steven Lederman
> >
> >> > Greetings list!
> >> > I wanted to know if anybody knew of any "awesome" bass clarinet and/or
> Eb
> >> > recordings. I saw one in Tower called "Spazz" which was bass clarinet.
> >> > Anybody recommend that one? I know Mr. Yeh of the CSO and DePaul has
> >> > some Eb ones, but which are recommended?
> >> >
> >> > I just want to add to my cd collection! Thanks!
> >>
> >> Giora Fiedman has an absolutely fantastic recording of a cello work (I
> >> think it's R. Schumann...) on bass clarinet, along with some 20th century
> >> klezmer+choral works. Truly breath-taking, and I don't have the name off
> >> the top of my head. Dr. Borchert has the CD...perhaps he could give you
> >> the specifics...sir?
> >>
> >> J. Shouryu Nohe
> >> http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
> >> Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
> >> One of Key's 30,000 Friends
> >> ---------------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >
> >

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