Klarinet Archive - Posting 000738.txt from 2004/01

From: "Kevin Fay" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Things go for good to bad to great
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 00:59:36 -0500

Dan Leeson posted:

<<<I just watched the 25th anniversary show of Sunday Morning. When they
began 25 years ago I was always fascinated by the opening trumpet solo
that introduced the show. They have had some great players execute that
difficult but brief passage for unaccompanied trumpet. But then, about 2
years ago they got Doc Severensen (sp.??) whose ugly and metallic sound
so frustrated me. His execution was always on the brink of collapsing.
Better he should stick with Tijuana Jazz.

Today they announced that future performances will be taken from a
studio recording of the work done by Wynton Marsallis, and they played
his rendition. Not only is it brilliant, but he even has the chutzpah
to add the most marvellous ornaments to a very well ornamented piece!!
He is so splendid.

I'm glad Doc whateverhisnameis has been put aside for a far superior
performer. It was a mistake to have him in the first place.>>>

Dan - you are an aged passing of wind (i.e., old fart) indeed. I too enjoy
the good Mr. Marsalis in this setting.

. . but I hesitate to call Mr. Marsalis a "superior performer" based on
this. Stylistically different certainly, qualitatively no.

There's no question that Wynton has been successful in front of both big
band and symphony - one of his amazing gifts is to be able to play
brilliantly within whatever context he's playing in at the moment.

Doc Severinsen is arguably not as skillful in front of the symphony as the
big band. In those circles, however, he's known for much more than bad
suits and worse jokes - more for monster technique and insane high chops.

Fisher Tull's second trumpet concerto was written for Doc Severinsen. You
can't find a recording for it because it's pretty much unplayable by anyone
except Doc Severinsen. (I once had the good fortune to be in a wind
ensemble that performed it behind Allen Vizzuti, who can.) Al played us a
bootleg recording of Doc and a nameless orchestra - he could, too.

Doc's a great performer, perhaps not best shown off in this context. Sort of
like hiring you and Keith to play the alto parts to Diminuendo and Crescendo
in Blue on your basset horns - great sounds in the wrong place.

BTW, the twins are cuties indeed. (Would that I could apply for a
contingent remainder!) But for the presence of the two quite proper
gentlemen, I'd take the posting as some sort of clarinet pornography.

kjf

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