Klarinet Archive - Posting 000305.txt from 2000/10

From: HatNYC62@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: Maazel
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 11:19:37 -0400

In a message dated 10/6/00 4:12:43 AM, klarinet-digest-help@-----.org writes:

<<
Why is Maazel considered to be such a great conductor? IMHO he lacks even
the slightest bit of self-criticism, considering himself to be a greater
conductor than Karajan and Benstein together. When you hear his
compositions - I recently was so unfortunate to hear him play his own
violinconcerto! - you will agree, I am sure, that my point of view is only
strengthened by it. >>

I'll take a crack at this because I do some conducting (albeit at my own
modest level). Maazel is a great conductor because of his amazing combination
of skills and talents. The guy can conduct the entire Ring from memory, along
with hundreds (thousands?) of other works. Quite simply, the guy is a genius.
He did amazing things with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Even though he made many
of the musicians miserable (he is extrememly picky) that orchesta is one of
the word's best at the moment and Maazel deserves a lot of credit for that.

His baton technique is among the clearest and most lucid I have ever seen,
and his sense of rhythm is unimpeachable (these two things cannot be taken
for granted among even major conductors these days). I believe the majority
of orchestral musicians who have worked with Maazel, regardless of whether
they like or hate him, will concede these points. Marcellus hated him, but
never suggested he couldn't actually conduct.

He's not my favorite 'interpreter' either. But there is a big difference
between conducting music in a way that one enjoys to hear it and being 'good
or bad at conducting.' There are few giants in the conducting world today,
and Maazel is clearly among those few.

As for his violin playing, the guy is 70 years old. Even Heifetz had slipped
SOME by age 70. Maazel is a guy who cannot have much time to practice. The
fact that he can play at all is a miracle. What I have seen him do on the
violin is quite impressive, actually. This season he is playing all 3 Brahms
sonatas at Carnegie. How many 70 year old VIOLIN VIRTUOSOS would have the
balls to do that? I must add that I especially admire conductors who are
willing to perform in public on their instrument. Most won't, and for good
reasons! The same goes for composing. The fact that he can do it is, in and
of itself, impressive. . .even if you don't enjoy the music (I haven't heard
any of his compositions).

As for the 'self-criticism' comment, it takes balls of iron just to get up
there in front of a major orchestra. Those guys don't suffer fools lightly.
Anyone with too much self-doubt is like a tuna in a shark pond!

David Hattner, NYC

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

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org