Klarinet Archive - Posting 001026.txt from 2000/06

From: ShawThings@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Mozart Concerto - Benny Goodman recording
Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 10:04:19 -0400

In a message dated 25/06/00 12:16:29 PM AUS Eastern Standard Time,
MVinquist@-----.com writes:

<< Subj: [kl] Mozart Concerto - Benny Goodman recording
<snip>

No recording of the Mozart makes it unnecessary to listen to others.
Goodman
is not at the top of my list, but it's one of the recordings that demands to
be heard and taken seriously.

Ken Shaw

Ken, I couldn't agree more!

I have a book called "The rough guide to classical music on CD" which
heartily reccommends the earlier Goodman K622 (and no others). I can "see"
(I mean hear) why: ( I have a reissue of the original on LP) but I can't
understand why they ignore the numerous other "better" versions which were
readily available in 1994 when it (the Guide) was published.
I think Goodman made another live version at Tanglewood c. 1956 I've never
heard it, but I bet it's pretty good.

IMO, if Benny Goodman had stopped recording before the swing era he'd still
be in the big league of truly *great* players - I still get shivers
listening to him (then aged about 19 or 20) emerging from the schmaltzy
ensembles of studio orchestras such as Nat Schilkret's in the early 30's to
deliver the cleverest and flashiest paraphrases of (almost invariably trite)
pop tunes with a tone which was hot & sour but entirely appropriate.
His technique was always incomparable - leagues ahead of most of his
contemporaries, including classically trained players - but somehow I think
he lost the spirit as he gained in popularity and slickness.

Also in the context of K622, somebody earlier mentioned a Jack Brymer's
recording(s). I think that he made at least four, at least 3 of which have
been reissued on CD & are still available, mostly at budget price - AND
they're ALL great:

A couple of years ago I found a budget priced CD reissue of Brymer's
(?)earliest version on EMI with Thomas Beecham conducting which, it seems to
me, occupies (or should occupy IMO) a position in the discography which is
analogous to that of the Marcellus/CSO version (which seems to be (rightly)
revered by most people on the other side of the Atlantic. All Brymer's
versions are played on normal A (not Bassett) clarinet and all his
interpretations are relatively conservative (whatever that conveys) - AND
they're all wonderful to hear, especially at budget price!!
Tim Shaw (no relation to Ken!)

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