Klarinet Archive - Posting 000597.txt from 2001/04

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Perlman
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 10:37:54 -0400

My experiences with Perlman were exactly the opposite of those reported.
I did not find him a jerk, but a serious, friendly, helpful musician.

And as I think over the years of the several famous people with whom I
had the opportunity to work, there were damn few jerks among them. Most
were thoughtful, serious, intelligent musicians. Sure, each one had
foibles, but who doesn't?

The idea that the top eschelon of players are arrogant s.o.b's. is a
Hollywood invention. They are just trying to make a living.

In the case of Perlman, he flew in from Chicago, having played the Berg
chamber concerto, to do the Mendelssohn concerto with us. He needed a
rehearsal of that work like I need another nose, but we played the
entire concerto front to back, then made a bunch of correction that he
requested (and very politely too), and then, when I though it was all
over, he requested that we do the concerto a second time.

He didn't need to. But he did it to be comfortable with us and also to
provide a quality performance for the audience.

A colleague of mine also indicated that he was in Amsterdam to play
something and the Concertgebow was both rehearsing for the next program
while playing concerts with him. On inquiring what was being rehearsed
for the next program, he was told that it was one of the Bach passions.

He said that he never played it and would the orchestra manager get him
permission to play as one of the violinists during the rehearsal. That
was accomplished and a seat was placed for him in the 1st violin
section. But he came in and simply went to the last chair second violins
and played the entire rehearsal from that position.

I don't think that guy is a jerk at all, and I wish I had a scintilla of
his talent and character. And I hear that he is a very good cook of
Chinese food. How bad can he be?
--
***************************
** Dan Leeson **
** leeson0@-----.net **
***************************

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