Klarinet Archive - Posting 000325.txt from 2003/06

From: AnneLenoir@-----.net (Anne Lenoir)
Subj: [kl] The Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium last weekend, June 5-8
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 09:51:44 -0400

I attended the Oklahoma Symposium last weekend, and it was wonderful, as
usual. I prefer the Symposium to ClarinetFests, because David
Etheridge's Symposiums are more intimate and more affordable than
ClarinetFests. I stayed at the Thunderbird Inn for $40 a nite, including
a free continental breakfast. The college van picked us up to go to the
music building every morning.
Ricardo gave the opening recital and sounded magnificent, as always.
I liked the fact that he started off the syposium, because he sounds so
good. One drawback to all of these clarinet events is that they always
have to "showcase" all of the recent Doctoral Degree recpients of a
Doctorate in Clarineticology. It seems to me that if you wanted to go
hear some boring and bad clarinet playing, the best place to go would be
to hear somebody who just got their doctorate. Anyhow, one thing that I
noticed about Ricardo was that he was a true friend to all of his fellow
clarinetists. He even played one of the Mendelssohn Clarinet Duo's for 2
clarinets & piano with one of the participants on his recital. It really
added a lot to this guy's recital. One day when Ricardo was having lunch
with his father and some friends, he cut his lunch short so that he be
on time for Steve Cohen's recital.
Dr. Etheridge gave the welcoming recital for Friday morning, and I
noticed that his tone sounded excellent! Dr. Etheridge always sounds
very good, but he sounded terrific this time. He said that he was now
playing a new Joel Lomax mouthpiece, an A-4. I went and tried one and
bought it. I am still making up my mind. He selected some pieces that
were very pleasant to listen to as well. (I don't have my program in
front of me, so I can't remember what). Yes I can! I just found the
program. It was "Quiet in the Land" by Kenneth Fuchs, for clarinet,
flute, cello and viola.
In my opinion, the highlight of the Symposium was Richie Hawley, who
played on Saturday night. He opened with Debussy's Premiere Rhapsody,
and it was the best performance that I have heard in years. Usually when
I hear the Debussy, I feel uneasy because of insecure rhythms and waning
tone, combined with "fear" in the rapid arpeggios. Richie was right
there from start too finish. I wonder if he has recorded it. He also
played a very neat composition, "Benny's Gig," 10 short "jazzy" pieces
written for clarinet and upright bass, by Morton Gould. I have already
orded it and plan to play it myself.
The other highlight of the Symposium was Barrel & Bell maker, Morrie
Backun from Vancouver. I spent a lot of time at his booth, because he
was so much fun. I also spent some money on a set of his barrel and
bell. I think it sounds better. It looks a lot better, and it is better
in tune, and the clarinet is now a bit lighter. I don't care. I love
Morrie. I am sending him my A clarinet to work on. He claims that he can
restore it, that there is no such thing as a clarinet "wearing out".
Morrie is a very funny man. He entertained me for most of the symposium.
Everybody was buying his barrels and bells, including Ricardo & Bil
(Wild Bill) Jackson. I have to go take my best friend, "Freckles", my
cocker, to the vet. She is old and has to have most of her teeth pulled
today. She has been in a lot of pain. Bye for now, ANNIE

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