Klarinet Archive - Posting 000752.txt from 2002/06

From: The Ciompi Family <deal5@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Vibrato REDUX
Date: Sat, 22 Jun 2002 17:59:57 -0400

Dear J. Marioneau and Klarinet group,
I beg to differ from your putting Stoltzman and Kell in the same breath. I'm
old enough to know Kell's playing firsthand and I believe that his tone and
smooth manner made for very easy listening. But, to me, he was musically
challenged. His phrasing was frustratingly backwards. Where the phrase naturally
flowed forward, he would pull back. When a phrase asked for space or breathing
room , he would plow forward.
Whatever you think of Dick Stoltzman, and I agree that tonally some
recordings are suspect, he always plays with a natural and inevitable
musicianship. Although both players have had an extreme influence on different
generations, I believe Stoltzman is a far better example for todays players.
Sincerely,

Arturo Ciompi

JMarioneau@-----.com wrote:

> Thanks Edward. To further explain that statement, it seems to me that
> Reginald Kell was either very highly thought of or not liked at all in terms
> of his playing, the same way Stoltzman is now. Stoltzman seems to have his
> own unique style and people seem to either like or dislike his style and for
> some reason he evokes very strong feelings on both sides. I think from what I
> have heard, Kell and his style of playing did the same thing. They each sort
> of "think out of the box" and therefore "play out of the box." Both players
> (in my opinion) have some great recordings and some that I really don't like.
> I do think that Kell was and Stoltzman is top quality player and both have
> both done a lot for the clarinet. They just have done it in their own unique
> way.
> James Marioneaux
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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