 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-10-08 16:28
I am simply floored with the clarinet in movement 3 of Sibelius 4 with Karajan from this era...the sound in the winds in Berlin here is among the finest I have ever heard...
If is is Leister or (Stahr) well its pretty amazing....
I think this should be a reference recording for all serious students of the clarinet...
it is on DG(Deutche Grammophone and is remastered nicely.)
I still love my Davis Boston cycle as well....
David Dow
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Author: JessKateDD
Date: 2004-10-08 18:13
I will have to get that one. Karajan was probably the last great Sibelius conductor. I have the Karajan/Berlin Sibelius 5&7 combination, also on DG from the same years, and they are special.
I agree with you on the Berlin winds from that era. In addition to Leister, I just love the tones of Lothar Koch and Gerd Seifert. A fine ensemble.
Post Edited (2004-10-08 23:17)
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Author: k_leister
Date: 2004-10-09 06:34
I bet that is Leister. Leister's tone at that time, with his wooden mouthpiece and the Uebel clarinets, is amazing - thick and yet transparent Every note of his is like water dripping on the floor, crystal-like clear. And no doubt, Lothar Koch's incredibly rich tone and musicianship blend perfectly with Leister's. Zoeller and Piesk's are just as amazingly rich, and they blend together so well within the woodwinds and also with the strings. Karajan is no doubt a craftman of sound.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-10-09 14:27
Hopefully the hurricane season will be calmer in 2005....Good luck,Karl
Bob Draznik
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-10-09 19:45
Although never in an orchestral situation, I have heard him live numerous times in chamber settings and even in a semi master class where I was standing next to him.
In all respect to his marvelous musicianship and definitive performances of much of the clarinet repertoire, his recent sound, up close, for me was unimpressive.
Perhaps in a large hall with more lively acoustics and some audio sweetening by the engineers, it is different ...GBK
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-10-10 22:11
Mr Dow ... it's a sublime and tragic symphony - dives to the depths of blackness for me at least - yes, the clarinet solo is tragically beautiful
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: JessKateDD
Date: 2004-10-11 03:25
Rather harsh words, GBK. Karl Leister is nearly 70 years old - of course he doesn't have the embouchure that he once had. The Sibelius was recorded 40 years ago - when he was very much in his prime.
I have also heard him in person, up close - the first time was in 1987. He was 49 then - his playing was immaculate, and his tone was centered. And when he was younger, his sound was even better. Pick up any Karajan/Berlin recording from the 60s or 70s. They couldn't all have been "sweetened" by recording engineers.
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-10-11 03:31
Indeed ... GBK - I'll take a rain check on your clarinet playing in 20 years' time, ok? (ducks for cover)
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-10-11 03:56
JessKateDD:
Reread my original posting...
The playing of Karl Leister in the 60's, 70's and even the 80's was a master class in clarinet artistry. Scores of clarinetists developed their inner sound by listening and studying the way he played.
His first rendition (1963?) of the Mozart Concerto with Kubelik and the Berlin Philharmonic was a magical performance. It was issued on a Deutsche Grammophon LP and I don't believe it ever made it to CD (at least I've never seen it). I hope it eventually is released, because my LP has been played to death.
I've always felt that Leister's subsequent 3 recordings of the Mozart never quite equaled his first attempt.
Having grown up listening to his first Mozart recording, I was disappointed when I eventually got to hear him in a few chamber settings in the 1990's and recently up close in semi-master class. Although the sound was still pure and centered, it was, to my ears, small and lacking color.
However, Karl Leister is the real deal and in no way does that diminish his legacy. I had the privilege of speaking with him at one of the Clarinetfests and his gems of wisdom were priceless.
I just hope I can still get my clarinet case open at 70 years old ...GBK
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-10-11 13:17
Out of curiousity - what were the years Leister was with the BPO? I own the '77-'78 Karajan 2-disc set of the Brahms symphonies on DG. Is Leister playing on it?
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