Klarinet Archive - Posting 000110.txt from 2008/06

From: "Daniel Leeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Concert Saturday Evening, June 21
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:05:06 -0400

Last evening my wife and I went to a performance of the Mozart Requiem in
the oceanside city of Santa Cruz, CA. I knew that they were to be using
basset horns (thank goodness) and decided to stick my nose into the event.

The basset horn players were Stepehn Ahearn and James Shields, neither of
whom were known to me so I did not know what to expect. Nor were the players
locals.

To cut to the chase, they played magnificently, great intonation, beautiful
blending, intelligent execution. Just splendid.

After the performance I went to congratulate them only to find out that one
was the new principal clarinet with the New Mexico Symphony (where my friend
and Klarinet member Lori Lovato holds the second chair) while the other was
from Wisconsin. Both men were using large bored Buffet basset horns, and if
the instruments were representative of what Buffet is doing now, (as
contrasted with their previous and distressing small inadequate bored basset
horns), then Buffet has made substantial strides. Because the players were
listed alphabetically in the program, I have no idea which one was Ahearn or
Shields. But both were spectacular players.

There is something very heartwarming to hear a concert so well played in a
city that has a magnificent and primitive view of the Pacific ocean just a
short distance away.

Dan Leeson
dnleeson@-----.net
SKYPE: dnleeson

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