Klarinet Archive - Posting 000019.txt from 2009/06

From: Thomas J McKay <tjmckay@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Stanley Drucker's swansong @ NYP
Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:27:04 -0400

Hello all

I went to the NYPhil concert on Saturday, and the performance of the Coplan=
d
was great. The first movement had a natural flow, and an ease and freshness=
,
that I haven't heard in other performances. The connecting cadenza was
beautifully done, and the last movement generated sparks.

The tribute to Drucker was impressive. There was a display in the lobby,
with photos, historical notes, and a list of statistics (many in the Wakin
article). Also a setup of a small screen and two sets of headphones for
seeing and hearing video of some earlier performances. I couldn't hog it fo=
r
the whole intermission, but I saw some nice videos of Drucker playing some
great E-flat clarinet stuff in a Copland piece (not Salon Mexico, but
something else with a lot of E-flat clarinet) from his early days, Bernstei=
n
conducting.

At the opening of the second half of the concert, before Drucker came out t=
o
perform, they had a nice video with statements from previous conductors
(Mehta, Muti, Boulez, etc.), from members of the orchestra, and from others=
.
Drucker got a standing ovation even before he played. He deserved both
standing ovations he got. What a phenomenon! I am sorry that I never heard
him live before this year.

Tom

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