 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-05-05 00:33
I've attached a link to an article that appeared in today's <i>Indianapolis Star<i> about a 12-year-old clarinet prodigy that is graduating from Indiana University. It quotes him as saying that he wants to be the greatest clarinet soloist in the world. Look out, all you other aspiring soloists!
Lad's heart set on career in clarinet
(I just hope the newspaper keeps the article up at their site for more than just today.)
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-05-05 00:39
Let's see if I can create a direct link:
<a href="http://www.indystar.com/article.php?prodigy04.html">Lad's heart set on career in clarinet</a>
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-05 00:50
addendum...You could also click in "view show #2" (for fast internet connection users)...GBK
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-05-05 04:32
All I can say is.............WOW!!!
Someday I hope to play as well as a 12 year old. 
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Author: William
Date: 2002-05-05 16:09
Yesterday, I adjudicated the class A clarinets at our State Solo and Ensemble Festival held at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus. If Julian had been scheduled for my first event, the rest of my day would have been VERY LONG indeed. Thanks, GBK, for the audio clip--I think now that I will take Pete Fountains advice when The Clarinet interviewer asked what words of advice he had for today's clarinetist???--His response, "Take up the trombone."
Seriously, let us all hope that Julian' wonderful clarinetistry always remains rewarding and "fun." For the rest of us, isn't it kind of nice to have that "carrot" always dangling somewhere out there in front of us?? Good Clarineting!!!! (BTW, I would have awarded Julian a First--and the rest................)
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-05-05 21:21
By the way, Julian Bliss will be appearing at the Oklahoma
Clarinet Symposium in June (along with many other great
clarinetists). Don't miss it!
Kristen D.
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Author: rmk
Date: 2002-05-05 23:42
Now I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but isn't this all just hype? The kid is obviously very talented, but if he wasn't so cute I don't think anyone would pay him much attention. I wasn't too impressed from what I heard on the website. A lot of technique and not too much musicality. He's certainly no Midori or Helen Huang.
Remember that Paul Green recorded with the NY Phil at age 13. There have been plenty of young clarinetists with that much technique, if not more. In 8th grade I was playing Nielsen and there were others such as David Schifrin and Lorin Levi (now in LA Phil) who could probably play rings around young Julian at that age. Too bad they didn't have stage mothers pushing them to be the next Charlotte Church (don't get me started...)
I'm also disappointed that a respected member of the clarinet world (Howard Klug) seems to be taken in by all this. I hope it helps him recruit for his teaching studio at IU.
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Author: gemmaelizabeth
Date: 2002-05-06 11:31
I absolutely agree.... I know people who can play like him, but they are 19 years old and up, so no one cares!!!
Its just because he's 12. And lets be honest, how much can a 12 year old boy TRULY understand about music?
There was a television programme on about him last month, and to be quite honest, the only thing that impressed me was that he was so young! If I didn't know, and closed my eyes, I wouldn't have said it was amazing!
Personally, i think that he should be out climbing trees at his age. Childhoods short enough these days.
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Author: RogerM
Date: 2002-05-06 12:02
Sometimes young people like Julian---who obviously is very talented burn out at an early age because of parental pressures, pier rejection, etc. Let us home it does not happen to him.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-05-06 12:25
I attended one of Julian's programs last month. So..what's wrong with being cute...although I think that's the wrong word to describe him. So...what does any youngster really know about what he/she wants to do with their life and that's where parental guidance comes in. I found his playing impeccable and enjoyable to listen to....and he had a delightful stage presence. Give the kid a break, he is a great ambassador for clarinet musicianship.
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Author: rmk
Date: 2002-05-06 12:59
>Give the kid a break, he is a great ambassador for clarinet musicianship.
NOT!!!!!!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-05-06 13:20
rmk wrote:
>
> >Give the kid a break, he is a great ambassador for
> clarinet musicianship.
>
> NOT!!!!!!
Yah know, I've heard him live, and the kid is very, very good. A great ambassador for the instrument and for other young persons.
Perhaps you'd care to comment <u>AFTER</u> you've heard him live. Doing so from recordings only does all a great disservice.
And, by the way, both Midori and Hillary Hahn's early recordings were awfully rough compared to how they play today,
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-05-06 14:14
I am sure he enjoys "climbing trees" like other young boys....
Did you see him with his SUPER SOAKER water cannon???? haha.....
He just has a natural gift that he is taking advantage of early.
AND yes he is adorable.
Becky
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Author: William
Date: 2002-05-06 15:59
rmk--thank godness for "hype." As most of us know, being just "good" is often not good enough (maybe if my Mom went to all my auditions.....??) (maybe if I had been born cute??). Perhaps if young "Wolfie" had not had his father to take him all over Europe to "show him off" he would never have had the wealthy benefactors (Kings and Queens), commissions, nor popularity to nurture his musical talents as a composer. Young Julian has a lot going for him--I just hope "show biz" doesn't take it's toll too soon, and that clarinestry remains "fun" for him as he grows. Also, I hope he stays away from my clarinet chair--I'm too ugly to compete. Good Clarineting!!!!!
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Author: Corey
Date: 2002-05-06 21:06
Most anyone could play that well if they had a proffesional musician to help them learn the pieces (i.e. teaching rythym, technique etc.) He has been playing longer than I have, I've never had a private lesson, and most ppl in my band and such think i'm preety good and could get scholarships later in high school. I do agree with rmk on alot that he said and ezpicially that this all a bunch of hype.
--Corey
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Author: Janet
Date: 2002-05-06 22:10
When we heard him at clarinefest in Oklahoma, we also heard that he and his younger brother were national tap dance champions in Britain - so he may not be climbing trees (and may be......) but he does appear to have interests in addition to clarinet playing.
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-05-06 22:19
So, how well did you all play at age 12? Exerpts don't tell everything. Musicality is like seasoning. One can be a natural-born cook, but with further experience, one becomes the chef! Let's celebrate him and encourage him. Criticism in this case, is unnecessary. He's a better clarinetist than any student that I or most teachers will ever have the opportunity to teach.
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Author: rmk
Date: 2002-05-07 00:54
>And, by the way, both Midori and Hillary Hahn's early recordings were awfully rough compared to how they play today
Well, Mark, I performed with Midori when she was 11 and Hilary Hahn when she was about 16. They were playing at a much higher level, both musically and technically, than Master Bliss.
But perhaps I'll hold off any further comment until I hear him perform a Brahms Sonata or John Adams' Gnarly Buttons.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-05-07 01:17
I don't think he was lacking in musicality at all. It was actually rather moving IMHO.
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Author: earl thomas
Date: 2002-05-07 01:44
A fantastic talent. One can tell that he's worked very hard on many aspects of clarinet playing. I truly appreciate what he's done and expect he'll be doing a lot more throughout his lifetime.
Here's to Julian Bliss. He'll do a lot for the clarinet. I don't believe there is any "hype" involved....just a lot of practicing and study. Sincerely, E.T.
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-05-07 12:25
I don't have time to respond to some of the ignoramuses around here in a complete way, but let me say this. . .
When I heard Julian Bliss he was 11 and I was seated very near Larry Combs, Sean Osborn, Kevin Schempff and several other superb professional clarinetists. ALL of them were simply blown away and absolutely delighted by what Bliss did, without reservation. As was I.
He is a true prodigy. . .he does with maturity and insight what few ever learn to do as adults.
Sure his sound isn't fully mature, he's a little kid with a tiny mouth and oral cavity.
Anyone who would sneer is jealous jealous jealous.
David Hattner, NYC
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Author: Josh Schultze
Date: 2002-05-07 15:07
Obviously Julian is very gifted and driven: he would not have achieved what he has thus far if this weren't the case. However it is true today that talent alone cannot propel someone to the top of any field including the clarinet profession: regretably hype is a necessary ingredient.
Perhaps his abilities and the hype will lead to more younger kids playing the clarinet, more transcriptions of music for the clarinet, a greater awareness of the clarinet in the public ear, and more popular music being comissioned for the clarinet. Given the relative paucity of clarinet music today, I certainly welcome his exuberance and drive. If his fame and the associated hype can help to achieve any of these possibilities then all us clarinetists will surely benefit.
Josh
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-07 15:41
Isn't it ironic that with all the hundreds (thousands?)of very fine young clarinetists world-wide, who now are studying at universities and conservatories, and are all seeking those elusive few spots as concert recitalists, they may all be over shadowed by a prodigiously talented 12 year old?
To all current students: The odds against making a career as a full time performer have now just been doubled. Work harder...GBK (a Julian Bliss believer)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-07 15:51
A further thought:
For those of you who question Julian's interpretative skills and musicality (oh...I hate that word), remember the analogy of when the great Jack Nicklaus was taught golf at a very young age by his father.
His father told him (in so many words): "Swing as hard as you can, hit it as far as you can. We'll work on direction and finesse, later"
It seems that Jack wound up doing pretty well with that early advice...GBK
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Author: fix
Date: 2002-05-08 00:32
But hang on ... he's not American - how could he possibly have any talent?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-05-08 12:30
fix wrote:
>
> But hang on ... he's not American - how could he possibly
> have any talent?
And why do you make this bull-pucky snide comment?
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2002-05-08 17:58
Mark,
This is obviously a provocative comment, you shouldn't loose your time and make his statement worthy with your reaction.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-05-08 19:07
I haven't heard Julian Bliss play, nor do I consider myself talented enough to judge his abilities, but I did want to comment about our society's propensity for worshipping the young and talented at the expense of the older/mature/seasoned and talented. This is endemic in the jazz world, for example ---- remember when the Marsalis brothers overnight became the darlings of the jazz world, because they were young and talented and had a dad who was himself talented? Well there were, and are, literally dozens of older jazz saxophonists out there (for instance) who can play rings around Branford M., yet he is rich and famous, and many of the veterans are struggling to get gigs in small clubs. It's not fair at all --- but it's the harsh reality. As for Julian --- there's so little 'market' for classical clarinet soloists, that I can't see how his presence will really make much of a difference to the world. There will still be only a handful of players on the solo tour who can survive, and there will continue to be absurdly tough competition for the few orchestral positions. So maybe we should take Julian for what/who he is, and enjoy his playing without inflating the significance of his talent.
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Author: Todd Wees
Date: 2002-05-08 20:36
Mark and Stephane --
Oh the hazards of trying to be humorous with only the printed word (no smiles, winks, body language, etc.). At least that's how I took fix's comment -- as a slight dig at US-centric thinking.
Unfortuantely, fix does not appear to have spent much time on this site or s/he would have realized that this forum is quite global in scope and outlook. We recognize and appreciate talent (and hard work) wherever it originates.
Now, if only the Aussies would quit trying to take over this BB . . . . SMILE, SMILE, WINK, WINK, JUST KIDDING!
Todd W
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-08 21:05
Todd wrote: "Now, if only the Aussies would quit trying to take over this BB . . . . "
Uh oh....Diz are you out there? (smile, smile, wink, wink)...GBK
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Author: Paul
Date: 2002-05-08 21:29
I have no problems with people turning whatever novelty they may have into a career. That's just life. It so hard for entertainers to get any kind of recognition. But, the only thing that concerns me about young Bliss is fame, being away from his family and a pushy mother. 1. Fame: Kids can't figure out reality let alone being famous and trying to figure it out. 2. Away From Family: Yes, he is away from his family. Generally not good. Can't he get good instruction in England? And if not, at what price at being away from his father? 3. Pushy Mother: This I have no idea.
Conclusion: (IMHO) Young Bliss should be home.
Paul
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-05-08 22:39
No comment - but I think he's a fine young clarinetist, and I wish him all the best for a long and healthy career.
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Author: Julie
Date: 2002-05-09 03:28
>HAT wrote:
>>Anyone who would sneer is jealous jealous jealous.
>>
I AM jealous... but i'm not sneering...
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