Klarinet Archive - Posting 000645.txt from 1999/09

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] A review in the NY Times of 9/21/99
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 11:27:52 -0400

The opening program of the NY Chamber Music society was performed last
night (or I presume it was considering that the review appeared today)
and it was, as an earlier note of mine predicted, an all Mozart, all
clarinet program: the Kegelstatt trio followed by the clarinet quintet,
followed by the clarinet concerto. Schifren played.

The review is really something wonderful, and I don't mean in glorious
praise of the clearly wonderful playing of the soloist. In fact,
Schifren's playing is hardly commented on. This is not a disparagement,
but rather almost a public acknowledgement of playing of a high
caliber that does not require a critic's confirmation.

Instead, the reviewer takes the insightful position that he should
not be reviewing the potter's clay, but rather the potter. What
is spoken of in loving and glorious terms are the compositions
themselves, briefly of course, but with enormous respect. Also touched
on is Mozart's love of the clarinet, the exquisite nature of the
opening descending violin parts of the quintet (You know: "Eastside,
Westside...") and the fact that Schifrin played the concerto on
a basset clarinet of his own design, but not the quintet, which was
said to be played "straight." (I would love to hear Schifrin's
comments on why one but not the other. Does anyone know??)

In effect, this review is one about music, not about a performer
(though there is ample mention of the glories of all the latter
who contributed).

It was a joy to read this review!! I hope you will all find a copy
of today's NY Times somewhere in America and enjoy the writing,
the content, and the enormous respect for the music.

My day is made.

=======================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
=======================================

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