Klarinet Archive - Posting 001014.txt from 2002/11

From: "James Lytthans" <lytthans@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Musicality
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 22:05:49 -0500

Years ago, a clarinetist named Harry Keller made a career playing only
transcriptions of violin concertos. His friend, the late Frank Sabin, made
several recordings of Keller. I heard many of these tapes at Frank's studio
in Arcadia, and was simply amazed at the musicality and incredible
technique. Keller played works like the Mendelssohn, Beethoven and
Tschaikovsky concerti, in the original keys and with all the correct
articulation. Needless to say, Keller's career was not a very successful
one, since playing violin transcriptions was considered "grandstanding" by
the purists. He died a very poor man, alone. Many of the tapes were thrown
away by his landlord, while cleaning out his apartment.

Trumpeters have far less "serious' music written for their instrument than
do clarinetists. I don't begrudge any talented musician adding to the
repertoire by doing transcriptions. Many years ago I heard a performance of
the Rachmaninov Paganini Variations on accordion, performed with an
orchestra here in Los angles. He was absolutely outstanding, as were the
likes of Larry Adler on harmonica and Raphael Mendez on trumpet.

My 0.02 Euros worth...................
--------------------------------
Jim Lytthans (on vacation)
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Member Local 47 AF of M
Principal Clarinet - La Mirada SO, Pomona
Concert Band and Claremont Symphonic Winds
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~dooley/csw.html

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