Klarinet Archive - Posting 000587.txt from 2002/06

From: Jeremy A Schiffer <schiffer@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: "Buzzy" Sound (Stoltzman and superstars)
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 10:38:40 -0400

On Mon, 17 Jun 2002, William Wright wrote:

> <><> who you would consider more of a "superstar" of the clarinet than
> Stoltzman? If superstar-dom means recognition from the general public,
> whether or not based on actual musical accomplishments, I can't think of
> any clarinetist who is more qualified for the title of superstar than he
> is.
>
> Perhaps this statement should be qualified with "classical"? With no
> offrense intended to classical music, names such as Benny Goodman and
> Pete Fountain and Artie Shaw are probably better known to the world at
> large.
<snip>
> It wouldn't surprise me if Sabine Meyer's and Michelle Zukovsky's names
> are known to as many (or more?) classical clarinetists because of the
> gender equality debate.

Heck, for me it has nothing to do with gender equality. The first time I
heard Sabine Meyer on the radio, I was spellbound. Her playing knocked me
off me feet, figuratively speaking. I didn't know who it was until the end
of the piece, but I knew immediately it was some of the finest playing I'd
ever hear. I even got to see her in concert a few years ago, when I lived
in MN, playing the Mozart Concerto with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra on
a full range basset clarinet. All I can say about that show is, "wow!"

As for Stoltzman, I can't stand to listen to him. I think he has a
horrible sound and his technique is more gimmick than anything else. I'll
take Benny Goodman, or even myself (even if I can't get the gliss at the
end right 80% of the time), playing the Copland any day over Stoltzman.

As for superstars, not restricted to classical, I'd append Buddy
DeFranco and Giora Feidman to Mr. Wright's list, and from past
generations, Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras.

-Jeremy Schiffer
1st Clarinet, Columbia Wind Ensemble
Clarinet, Columbia Klezmer Band
mp3s of both at http://www.columbia.edu/~schiffer/music.html

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