Klarinet Archive - Posting 001292.txt from 1999/03

From: Spiegelthal.Dave@-----.COM
Subj: Re: Re: [kl] Shifrin - Weber Concerto CD
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 13:06:57 -0500

Fred Jacobowitz wrote, with regards to David Shifrin:
<......As you can see, I believe he is a technically proficient,
musically dull player. I much prefer the playing of more flamboyant
players like Charles Neidich who actually SAY something, rather than just
restating the notes of a piece in the mildest manner possible. I may
disagree with those flamboyant musical opinions but at least there's
something for me to think about.
How about the rest of you Lurkers out there? Is just playing the
notes with antiseptic accuracy and just enough phrasing to show that
the player is not a computer, good enough?......>

I find a good example of the "technically perfect but musically dull"
school of playing is Karl Leister. I just got a CD of his made around'84,
with the Brahms Clarinet Quintet and a few other pieces, and I was amazed
at his complete lack of (a) tempo variations/rubato, (b) dynamics, and (c)
drama. His tone is absolutely clear and consistent on every note, his
intonation is perfect, and every note is played exactly as written. But
musically, he puts me to sleep. I couldn't play a piece of music that
blandly if I tried!
Just my opinion. Probably if you were to psychoanalyze me, you'd find it
was just jealousy and envy of Herr Leister.
Dave Spiegelthal
Calverton, VA

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org