Klarinet Archive - Posting 001299.txt from 1999/03

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] re: Shifrin & Neidich
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 18:41:39 -0500

Subject: Re: [kl] Shifrin - Weber Concerto CD
Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.96.990325122349.12846A-100000@-----.edu>
David,
Bravo for stating your opinion. I would like to comment, however,
that your statement "...he hasn't released a bad CD yet." depends on your
definition of "bad". If you mean poor recorded sound quality and/or
production values, I agree. However, if you mean lackluster, if
technically accurate, playing, then yes,I believe he has released quite a
few "bad" CD's.
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?
Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

-----------------------------------

I wasn't the David you referred to, but since I am a David - I'll take you on.
David Shifrin's recordings to me are not at all "lackluster". Have you
heard his Brahms Sonata's, and Schumann Fantasy Pieces Recording?? To me,
that is the ultimate in playing. I've heard him live (and played with
him), and on recordings, and do not at all find his playing to be
lackluster at all. To me it is very refined playing. I think he has quite a
lot of musical depth. One does not have to be bombastic to play music. I
like Charlies stuff too (studied with both players). Two very different
players - both great to me.
I would much rather hear a Shifrin recording than a Stoltzman one.
Having said that, I'll add that of course everyone has their own feelings
about various performers (and everything else for that matter....;), but to
say that Shifrin's stuff is mild-mannered and antiseptic, is to underrate
him (to me).

David Blumberg - MTA for Woodwind Players (200+ pieces, Playable Demos -
G2, MP3's)
play it@-----.com
http://www.mytempo.com
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