Klarinet Archive - Posting 001219.txt from 1999/05

From: Sfdr@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] clarinet choice? What would Judas Play?
Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 02:23:55 -0400

Dear Mr. Charette,
If you are going to quote, paraphrase, or transcribe my postings, I
would appreciate it if you would at least do it with accuracy!
I think it is very rude of you to try to instigate an argument
between Tom Ridenour and me. I have never met the man. I know nothing about
his work or playing. And I don't appreciate you trying to sic him on me as if
he is a dog.
Now having said that let me clarify a few points from my earlier
posting to you.

In a message dated 5/26/99 7:06:53 PM EST, charette@-----.org writes:

<< There are quite a few actually. Visit Cleveland when you get a
chance.

Just got back a month or so ago, where I talked briefly to Franklin
Cohen - who must own one of everything ever made, and changes clarinets
frequently. Definitely not an exclusive Buffet man. He played a number
of experimental clarinets made by Benade, and still plays on a few of
them ...

......John Mack, the principal oboist of the Cleveland Orchestra, has been a
customer and good friend of mine for 20 years. On a Cleveland Orchestra tour
through Memphis, He introduced me to Frank Cohen. During that visit I asked
Mr. Cohen about his primary clarinet and he allowed me to analyze the
instrument. I measured the bore extensively and studied the tone hole
dimensions. Believe it or not the instrument was an old Buffet clarinet with
classic Moennig Dimensions. He told me that he love the instrument and used
it as his primary horn.

> ......But wait! An even better question is: How many of today's
Orchestral
> legends from major symphonies such as Philadelphia, New York, Boston,
> Chicago, Etc. are still in possession of these proven Buffet
Clarinets, play
> on these older instruments, but yet hypercritically endorse other
brands such
> as Selmer, Yamaha and Leblanc due to financial gain???????? That is
the
> question you should be asking!

Please tell me who they are!

.......Long before the Selmer 10-G was ever conceived Hans Moennig was
Working on Anthony Gigliotti's Buffet R-13 clarinet. Mr. Moennig even credits
him with the invention of the Hard rubber Barrel insert, a sleeve use to
stabilize the internal barrel dimensions. As a matter of fact Hans Moennig
personally told me the 10-G was a copy of the Moennig-Buffet R-13. Since Mr.
Gigliotti's father had been one of Mr. Moennig's first customers when he
opened his shop in 1926, Mr. Moennig knew Tony and a child and repaired
clarinets for him throughout his playing career. Later another Moennig repair
student by the name of Mark Jacobi took over the clarinet repairs.

......As an apprentice, I met John Yeh in Mr. Moennig's shop having his
Buffet R-13 tuned along with many other players from the Chicago area. Mr.
Moennig was quite impressed with the fact that he had such a great job at
such a young age.

......Stan Drucker's autographed photo hung on Mr. Moennigs walls for many
years along with other great New York players. By the way He was Playing a
Buffet also.

......Harold Wright played a Moennig Buffet and made quite a few great
recording on the great horn.

All of these Great Clarinetist either play or have extensively played
Buffet R-13 clarinets professionally and that is undisputed FACT!

Having visited most of these orchestras,
and seen the players _playing_ the endorsed clarinet while sitting
there, makes your words suspect. You are unequivocally stating that
Larry Combs or John Bruce Yeh are lying to us when they endorse their
respective brands (since you specifically mention Chicago) - yet I have
seen them often enough to _know_ that they play publically what they
endorse. They may play something else _privately_ - but that's another
story. Please - prove such assertions, don't simply call people
hypocrites and tell us that these people are lying when they say that
the clarinet they like at the moment is such and such. In fact, what you
state above is very insulting towards Tom Ridenour, the
technician/acoustician who developed the Concerto/Opus. Hey Tom - is
Larry lying to us???

Most people endorsing strictly for money get caught in the short run,
never mind the long run.

...... I will close with this story that I witnessed first hand.

I came to the Moennig shop one morning and Mr. Moennig was Hot! I
knew that he was quite angry because he was speaking German to himself. He
only did this when he was mad or flustered about a repair dilemma. I asked
him what was wrong and he pulled out a Life Size Poster of Benny Goodman
Endorsing a Selmer Clarinet, as he continued cursing in German. I told him to
calm down as Mr. Goodman had the right to advertise for Selmer or anyone
else. So he handed me his magnifying Glass and ask me to examine the Clarinet
closely. The clarinet that Benny Goodman was holding with read, "Buffet
Crampon A Paris". Mr. Moennig then added, "Can you believe that
!#*#!X!#*!#*!*#!# had the nerve to Pose for a Selmer advertisement while
holding the Moennig Buffet clarinet that I set up for him. Well, I guess
everybody has a price."
Judas wanted a few pieces of silver for his integrity. What brand of
clarinet do you play Mr. Charette???????

Best Wishes,

Alvin Swiney

Affordable Music Company

P.O. Box 4245

Virginia Beach, VA 23454

757-412-2160 fax 412 2158

E mail sfdr@-----.com
Mark Charette@-----.

>>

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