 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: david dow
Date: 2002-10-11 19:43
I just though I would recount a story to fellow BB members a story told to me by ny former teacher Horld Wright:
Prior to Mr. Wright-- a very fine clarinetist was Principal in Boston named Gino Cioffi. Cioffi had flawless technique and could play violin passages with ease and was noted as a real star in the 50s. After Munch died the Boston Symphony hired Leinsdorf to replace him. From the word go the relationship between Cioffi and the new maestro was pretty sour. In fact cioffi would actually take Leinsdorf to task on being unable to follow him. No matter, cioffi though I sound brilliant and so eventually a battle royal was fought in rehearsal and on stage constantly.
Eventually, Leinsdorf fired Cioffi and the Boston Symphony then held auditions. Of course, the auditions were held behind a curtain and Cioffi won the auditions. In the hall way the panel annonced clarinet player 34 won or whatever, and apparently Cioffi said to Leinsdorf you can't keep a good man down in spite of your ineptitude!!!!
Sincerely
David Dow
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Author: david dow
Date: 2002-10-11 19:46
Excuse me: should read after Munch left....
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Author: Bill
Date: 2002-10-11 20:17
If G. Cioffi is the clarinet player with the Boston Symphony who made records using a Selmer, then I have one Cioffi recording of the Brahms sonatas that is... just awful! Believe me, I am extremely hesitant to criticize an established professional, and I have a broad taste in clarinet "tone," but the Cioffi record is butchery. It just seemed like the completely wrong approach to the sonatas, with these full-on attacks and this cornet-like, unvaried sound. Very "athletic," but not too successful for the Brahms.
I'll listen again tonight after work. --Bill.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-10-11 21:14
Gino Cioffi was an artist of the highest caliber.
His playing was totally unique and musically inspired.
I took 6 private lessons with Gino in the mid-60s, in Boston at his home.
He was both amusing and awesome as a teacher. He always demonstrated whatever he asked me to do, and always flawlessly.
He played a Selmer clarinet with an old crystal mouthpiece. Gino's tone, technique, and style were all his own. He knew what he wanted to do musically, and was always able to do it.
He was not brilliant, but very smart musically. He once demonstrated how to play the clarinet with the mouthpiece inverted (that is reed up). And he sounded beautiful!
He knew all the orchestral solos from memory, and most of the important clarinet studies. Gino could play every clarinet solo on his favorite Bb clarinet, hardly ever using his A clarinet. He played with great spirit and joy.
Gino Cioffi was an inspiring teacher and great player.
Thanks for all your good advice, Gino.
JJM
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-11 21:45
"Gino could play every clarinet solo on his favorite Bb clarinet, hardly ever using his A clarinet."
John,is this a common practice among NYC pros??? I know that Ben Armato (the Reed Wizard guy) recommends transposing many A and C clarinet opera solos to the Bb clarinet in his book, "The Opera Clarinetist" to avoid intonation problems associated with instrument switching. Just wondering in Dairyland.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-10-11 21:56
Cioffi's Brahms Op. 120 # 2 is indeed badly out of tune. To hear him playing perfectly in tune, find the Monteux/Boston recording of the Tchaikovsky 5th from the late 1950s. The opening is the only version I've heard where you can't tell it's two people playing in unison -- a superb recording, with Cioffi in his prime. The LP cover has a photo of Monteux with his unmistakable walrus moustache.
Another gem is the Boston Wind Ensemble recording of several Strauss serenades for winds, conducted by Eric Simon. It's in a league by itself, and Cioffi is amazing.
There are some fine Cioffi war stories in Sherman Friedland's section. I'm not surprised he fought with conductors. He had a bubbling -- no, hot boiling -- operatic Italian personality.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: david dow
Date: 2002-10-12 00:35
Dear Ken:
Interesting to hear he did the Strauss serenades, that would be a real treat!
I would like to add that one of my favorite recordings of all time is his work on the Barok Concerto for Orchestra with Leinsdorf! His phrases are just inspired..
I concur with you about him in his prime,his playing is absolutely fantastic.
You are lucky to have had lessons with him, he is one of my all time favorite orchestral players!
Sincerely yours, David Dow
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Author: E. Thomas
Date: 2002-10-12 01:52
Cioffi was one of the finest players the BSO ever employed. One of my teachers, A. Duques, helped him with his plight of playing the clarinet with the mouthpiece inverted (upside down to us). Mr. Duques said he was one of the finest gentlemen he had known. His first engagement in the US was at the Metropolitan Opera House in the late 1940s, that was when he decided to turn the mouthpiece "right-side-up" as that was what he was seeing all around him in those, his early days in the USA. His son, Anthony studied at Juilliard with Mr. Duques around the same time that I was there, and he too was the perfect gentleman.
Re the statements above about the BSO auditions, I was one of the many, many who tried out for his job back in the spring of 1952. We played, one at a time, on the empty stage of Orchestra Hall. There was no curtain. Perhaps those who made the finals did play behind a curtain, but the preliminaries were right out front. I don't remember how many were auditioning, but it was a very high number, and Mr. Mazeo (sp.?) was there ushering us on and off the stage, one-by-one.
I had the good fortune to attend a reception later when the BSO was on the road and Mr. Ciofi and I talked about his son. He was so kind and curteous, and he was a great artist, no question about it - no matter what people may irresponsibly "opine" of that Brahms 2nd recording. I have no doubt that he could transpose anything put in front of him. He was educated in solfeggio from the beginning and possesed an imaculate technique. Being able to transpose is no big deal, but it does require lots of practice and it is often the only way one can get through some opera or symphonic literature without having to pick-up a cold clarinet, etc.
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Author: E. Thomas
Date: 2002-10-12 01:57
CORRECTION, PLEASE: courteous - rather that curteous. Sorry about that!! E.T.
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Author: david dow
Date: 2002-10-12 03:00
Dear E. Thomas:
Thanks for post. May Mr. Cioffi's playing live long in our memory. I am glad too his recordings in boston are available to the younger generation as well.
Sincerely
An avid Cioffi fan
David Dow
Saint John NB Canada
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Author: Bill F.
Date: 2002-10-17 00:51
Who lamented about this bulletin board going south? This exchange about Cioffi is characteristic of the best that I love about this bulletin board. It still lives!
--Bill (the guy, above, who didn't like the Cioffi Brahms)
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