 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2003-04-27 21:42
Heard Jon Manasse last night in Green Bay WI. He was the soloist for the Copland Concerto with the Green Bay Symphony.
Never heard this work performed live before. Never heard Jon Manasse live before either. This performance was not just that of a musician, but a true artist. Times I have heard this on CD or the radio, nuances don't carry as well as hearing it live. The hall was very good for sound, a least where I was sitting.
The things that made the biggest impression on me were Jon (and the orchestra's) skill at dynamic control throughout the slow portion, still keeping everything sounding so serene, placid. The shades of dynamic were so well thought out and made this portion sound so beautiful, making the most of the closing of this first section. Intonation was not a problem, even with those leaps.
Jon Manasse's sound is so centered. No vibrato, just pure great sound.
The cadenza sounded non-mechanical. Seems I usually hear it as a technical thing. There was shape to everything here. He took time for silence at the beginning of the cadenza and elsewhere. His articulation made me envious, it was so light and clear, but he didn't go at the speed of light, he didn't have to.
The "rather fast" to the end was great. Notes were impeccable, as was style. They didn't run away with tempo. This has to be difficult for the orchestra and Jon to put together.
I got a chance to talk a wee bit with Jon Manasse after. There may be a new CD out shortly with Copland, Neilson and another I can't remember.
This whole concert was a treat. They did Samual Barber's "Adagio for Strings" and here, too, great control in expression. This was moving. Ginastera's "Estancia" - pulled off with flare. The director was Bridget-Michaele Reischl. She's one to remember.
A wonderful experience. To me, the picture that he gave us with the Copland was unsurpassable.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-05-20 05:20
Tim2 - sounds like a wonderful experience. I heard Sabine Meyer (sp?) when she performed the same concerto with the Sydney Symphony not that long ago - flawless, inspired playing.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-05-20 14:37
I had the pleasure of subbing with the Green Bay Symphony a couple of years ago and can tell you "first hand", it is a good orchestra. And I am sure that Manasee appreciated the wonderful accoustics of the Weidman Center for the Performing Arts theater which is their playing venue. Thanks for the review--wish I could have been there.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-05-21 11:06
Does Mr. Manasse use the regular M30 or the M30 13?
David Dow
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-05-21 14:37
David -
He may well use a for or less final prototype of the M30. That's what he was using when I met him about a year ago. The mouthpiece had the standard profile and didn't have any markings.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: tww
Date: 2003-05-22 11:38
I've had the honor of playing under Reischl's baton- she is indeed amazing! I wish I could have seen that concert!
- tww
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2003-05-23 00:47
Reischl is very expressive and forthright in getting what she would like from the orchestra. Had Jon Manasse not been a soloist here, I would not have heard this concert and would have missed a real treat as I said before. The music making was superb. Nothing like hearing it live!
William - You would have loved it. Copland was great! There were so many things Jon and the orchestra did together to make this special, little changes in tempo in the fast section, delicate shadings in volume and color in the first half. And the cadenza was Jon's. Technique was flawless. This picture will be with me for a long, long time.
Diz - I heard Sabine a few years ago also doing the Mozart on basset clarinet with the Milwaukee Symphony. That was wonderful.
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