Klarinet Archive - Posting 000721.txt from 1997/12

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: re:composer student of Boulanger
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 09:17:15 -0500

Would it be Leonard Bernstein??
D.B.

One more on the Kenny G. theme, in regard to whether musicians should be
artistically rigid or be willing to go for the big bucks: I recall a
story of a gifted American (I think) composer who was a student of Nadia
Boulanger, the legendary Paris teacher of the likes of Aaron Copland
(her first student, I believe) and many other great musicians. I can't
remember the guy's name, but Ms. Boulanger was reprimanding him for
writing music that was too commercial and not worthy of what she
considered his considerable talents. "The same thing will happen to you
that happened to Gershwin," she warned. The musician in question
unhesitatingly responded, "I sincerely hope so."

Has anyone else heard this story, and perhaps would they remember the
name of the composer?

Bill E.