Klarinet Archive - Posting 000581.txt from 2003/07

From: Andy Raibeck <klari_1@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] ClarinetFest
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 00:07:01 -0400

> From: "Jim Lytthans" <lytthans@-----.net>
> Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 12:39:05 -0700
> Subject: [kl] ClarinetFest
>
> I guess it's my turn to jump in with a few comments on the recent SLC
> ClarinetFest. Overall, my wife and I enjoyed the event, as we have all of
> them. The University Guest House was really first rate, with a good
> breakfast, exercise room, Ethernet port in room, etc. The University
> Shuttle was OK, but somewhat slow, with the whole campus being torn up with
> road work.

I thought the evening/weekend shuttle service was rather inadequate: too
infrequent and shuttles too small, as it was SRO most of the time. At times
people couldn't get on due to the crowding.

> Most of the events were in Gardner Hall, with good acoustics. Kathy Pope
> did a great job coordinating the event, IMHO. The exhibits were a brisk
> uphill walk from Gardner Hall (pant! wheeze!), with all the usual suspects
> displaying everything from breath developers to reed cleaning supplies.

I heard comments from some vendors to the effect that there were 900 people in
attendance, but they wouldn't know it from the traffic. I wonder how many
attendees really didn't go to the exhibits, and if that brisk uphill walk was a
deterrent? (Didn't stop me, I spent a small fortune there!)

> Re: concerts. I try to keep an open mind at the 'Fests, since the majority
> of the performers are from collegiate backgrounds. The level of playing
> overall was outstanding, even with the dryness and altitude. Squeaks were
> plentiful throughout the week! I think I even heard one minor chirp from
> Larry Combs, who was busy and magnificent all week.

Overall I enjoyed the performances immensely, *especially* the potpourri and
shared recitals. The climate and altitude notwithstanding, I found most of the
featured performances by "star attractions" underwhelming at best (Phillipe
Cuper being the lone exception!).

> The evening performances by Eddie Daniels, Phil Woods (on clarinet!), Gary
> Foster, Giora Feidman, David Schifrin, and the Verdehrs were beautifully
> done, but a bit long, I think. Ted Calcara, newly appointed principal of
> the SLSO, was outstanding with his performance and knowledge of period big
> band clarinet style.

I enjoyed the Verdehrs's performance of the William Wallace piece, as well as
Wallace's "Propulsions" which was premiered Friday morning.

The best thing I can say about Schifrin's performance of the Mozart is that it
got the job done. I also found his movements on stage to be a bit of a
distraction. The way he kept squatting, I thought he was going to have a
"movement" on the stage. I know that in getting into the music most players
exhibit some kind of motion, but my impression was that this was more
theatrical than heart-felt.

> Larry Comb's Saturday (my birthday) noon recital showed just what an artist
> he is, with outstanding tone, technique and musicality. He opened with a
> beautiful performance of the Mozart Trio, in spite of a troublesome violist.
> This was followed by Larry and Julie DeRoche playing the delightful
> Bagatelles by John McCabe. Those two have played together so long that they
> sound virtually identical. The program closed with a premiere performance
> of an outstanding new work for clarinet entitled "Liquid Ebony" by Dana
> Wilson. Larry Combs gave a thrilling playing of this very challenging
> piece.

Another perspective: I thought Comb's playing on the Mozart was okay, but
uninspired, while the gorgeous playing by the violist left me a puddle on the
floor. Admittedly I'm a sucker for the viola, and Leslie Harlow has such a
warm, mellow tone. I would also like to extend special praise to pianist Gail
Niwa, who provided outstanding accompaniment to several performers.

Comb's performance with Julie DeRoche was excellent, and he really seemed to
come alive with "Liquid Ebony", which is a fantasic piece.

Other performances I especially enjoyed were the Reger Quintet (featuring
Russell Harlow) and the Yadzinski piece ("Imprevu") for solo clarinet that was
premiered by Rose Sperrazza (the piece is dedicated to her).

This was my first ClarinetFest, and overall I enjoyed it immensely. While some
of the logistics may not have been perfect, the planners for the event are to
be congratulated for an overall successful program, and I am looking forward to
CF 2004 in D.C.

Regards,

Andy

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