Klarinet Archive - Posting 000262.txt from 1999/10

From: "Patricia Smith" <david-patty@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Funny Nielsen recording: Reply to gtg
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 04:14:51 -0400

Steven Goldman wrote: "I think the problem developed because, the obsessive
compulsive perfectionist that he was, he felt a tremendous responsibility to
play the notes in just the way the composer intended. He is quoted as saying
this. This totally intimidated him and the spontaneity, the spark, the total
ease that made his jazz playing so great disappeared. His interpretations,
while fair to good, were very self-conscious. It wasn't Goodman playing, but
rather Goodman trying to be someone else. If only he was able to be himself,
using his incredible self expression and awesome personal technique, his
classical performances (I believe) would have been incredible.
Idiosyncratic, with a technique that others unfortunately would not except
as legitimate perhaps, but incredible none the less. Alas, Goodman's
psychological makeup just would not allow such a thing to happen."

Steven, I really like the way you put this. And I like the way you segue
almost seamlessly into a topic which is very near and dear to me. It IS sad
to see that everyone is more concerned about making sure their
interpretation is right and trying to be someone else, such as their
teacher, or Mr. Drucker, or Mr. Wright, than about developing their
technical abilities in order not to interpret things right but to be
themselves and using their own self expression and technique to produce
something new and original from performance of the gems of clarinet
literature. I hope what I have said is what you had in mind in your remarks
above concerning Mr. Goodman.

Patty Smith

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