Klarinet Archive - Posting 000244.txt from 1999/10

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Funny Nielsen recording
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 11:41:53 -0400

On Sat, 9 Oct 1999, gtg wrote:

> Most high school and college freshmen have better technique than
> Goodman did.

If you have ever heard him play jazz, you will know that this absolutely
is not factual.

> Benny commissioned new works dedicated to him (ego maniac)

That's a particularly cynical way of looking at it. No doubt Goodman had
a considerable ego. But, there is at least a chance that he commissioned
works because he wanted to expand the available repertoire for the
clarinet.

> and the composers were heralded by John Q. Public - i.e. more press.

And, of course, public awareness is something that serious music already
has too much of, right? (Yes, I am being facetious, if there is any
doubt.)

> Benny's legit playing was an insult to the great classical players of
> the day, who did not have the fame, press, and clout to elicit a
> commision from a great composer.

Generally, it is not fame, press or clout which are required to commission
a work, but rather money. Composers may like public notice, but they tend
to like to have enough money to eat, also. Benny had enough money to be
able to commission outstanding composers, and many clarinetists can play
the works he commissioned. So, he enriched all of us. If he did get an
ego boost from doing that, I'm willing to allow him that.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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