Klarinet Archive - Posting 000135.txt from 2000/09

From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Cats/Crazy for You.
Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 08:33:09 -0400

Bill Hausmann says re: Cats
>
> I've seen the show twice, done by road companies. It is a pleasant show,
> but why anyone would have cared to see it when "Crazy for You" was on
> Broadway at the same time is a complete mysery to me!

It`s "mysery" for me also Bill!! I might have earned a few more bucks had I
been Superman, when I took on the job of preparing some of the piano
rehearsal parts for Cats. No time to prepare them properly, so I utilised
Dal Segno & Da Capo in the scribble to get them finished ready for rehearsal
on time, which is what I managed to do with all of them. They were on the
piano come 10.00 am. Mr Lloyd-Webber was dissatisfied. They were not written
out completely, or correctly enough for >his eyes. No one could have
prepared them better in the time allocated, (because I was quite fast in
those days, and neat - when >I had a decent pair of eyes) so after a few
exchanges of points of view, there remained only one recourse. And that was
to inform Mr Lloyd-Webber that I would not be able to continue any more
whilst being subject to unreasonable demands on the time required to
produce. So he didn`t phone me any more. I`ve seen one of Mr Lloyd-Webber`s
shows - "Jesus Christ - Superstar". I came out of the theatre with ears
racked of pain due the 12 feet high stack of loud speaker units EACH side of
the stage.

I have just discovered his father`s Serenade for Strings tho`. It`s pure
joy. English music at it`s best, dare I say.
He could indeed write a good tune, so Andrew has obviously inherited a
little of that talent. William, (father) interviewed me when I was studying
at the London College (late 60`s) He was the principal at that time, and he
frightened the life out of me. I was ushered into a large, very dimly lit
room, with a very, very large older gentleman sitting behind a huge oak
desk, in front of a huge collection of worn leather bound books, housed
against the whole of the rear wall. His waist coat totally surrounded his
fat belly, his double breasted jacket lying open, and hanging shabbily down
each side of his chair. He beaconed me to sit. "Sit".
Then the onslaught began. "WHY DO YOU WISH TO COME TO THE LONDON COLLEGE OF
MUSIC BOY?"
"ARE YOU INTENT ON RESTRICTING YOUR STUDIES TO THE CLARINET, AND NOT PLAYING
SAXOPHONE IN THE CLUBS NEARBY?" The college then was sited very near to Soho
and the associated sleazy clubs/sleazy music. I was indeed. Yes sir, No sir.
I didn`t let on, but my reply >was quite truthful. I played >piano in one or
two establishments. He was an organist of some note, but his compositions
fell out of favour during the latter half of the 20 cent. His music is now
receiving more attention, partly due to the efforts of his other son,
Julian, who is a cellist, and who records his fathers music with the
co-operation of Chandos Records.

What wonderful, wonderful songs George Gershwin wrote. I expect most of the
experienced clarinettists` have
the arrangement of the "Three Preludes"? I forget who has recorded them.
Maybe Emma Johnson over in U.K.
I havn`t seen this arr. tho`. Any one?
I hope this has been of >some interest.
Best,
Tony W.

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