 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: donald
Date: 2004-10-21 10:46
i was just talking to a friend from China who used to be in contact with Mr McCaw, but had a reccent letter returned- she had not written in some years and thinks the address must have changed.
Does anyone have some news on what he is getting up to these days?, an address would be great if possible (though i'm sure you would not want to post this....) as my friend really wants to write to him. She may have the chance to visit next year, and wants to get back in contact before then.
Mr McCaw is a fabulous clarinet player (an NZer actually!) who is really only known internationally for his recordings of the Nielsen and Mozart concerti. While we're at it- does anyone know of any other solo recordings that feature McCaw?
keep playing the good tunes
donald
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-10-21 14:57
I studied in London with"Jack" breifly one summer in the 80s while relaxing from studies in Paris...he had a great sense of humor and an incredible wit. On top of that he really knew his stuff and was excellent in the few lessons I had...I got on with him well and think he is a great teacher.
As to nowadays I am sure he must be up in age a wee bit, so it may be he is just enjoying his retirement and a bit of bitter to boot!
David Dow
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-10-21 14:57
You're right about McCaw being a fantastic player --- I don't know about his solo recordings per se, but my all-time favorite Nielsen's 5th Symphony is of Jascha Horenstein conducting (I think) the Royal Philharmonic with McCaw playing the wild solo --- it's great! It's an old Nonesuch LP (you know, those vinyl record things your grandparents used to listen to before they invented CDs and MP3?)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-10-21 15:02
Correction: on second thought the recording I mentioned above was of the New Philharmonia Orchestra (Horenstein was indeed the conductor).
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-10-21 16:10
Ironically McCaw worked with me a bit on the Nielsen Concerto and the Stravinsky 3 pieces...I remember having the lp of this on Unicorn Wea Nonsuch.
Also, I went to London primarily to study under Bernard Walton...but upon arrival in England soon found out he passed away!
David Dow
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Author: donald
Date: 2004-10-21 19:27
he retired from teaching some years ago, and has reccently done some master classes etc at the Iceland Clarinet convention (a former student of his plays in the symphony there)... he also has changed over to Rossi clarinets i believe (Mr Rossi is a former student of his).
A couple of years ago i noticed his Neilsen/Mozart record had been re-issued on CD, a worthy catch if you can find it.
i'm sure one of our Brit players has more info? My colleague had "yearly" correspondence with him for some time, before letting it fade away about 5 or 6 years ago. She counts him as a major positive influence, and wants to thank him for this.
donald
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-10-21 21:29
The Mozart/Nielsen re-issue is available from Gary Van Cott, a sponsor of this site.
Jack Mc Caw was an amazing musician. I had the good fortune of having chamber music classes with him in 1993. Another recording to look out for is his recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra of Rachmaninov's 2nd Symphony. The clarinet solo in the slow movement is breath-taking!
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Author: alph
Date: 2015-02-25 23:42
I read the old posts about John McCaw. Mr McCaw has been the most influential musician to me. As a young clarinettist I visited him at his home several times during several years for lessons. The Royal Dutch Navy Band's conductor Maj. GD Buitenhuis, who recruted me as a clarinettist, stimulated me to broaden my horizon and made it happen that I could visit him.
Recently I listened again to his incredibly sensitively played La Vita es Inferno by Verdi with Placido Domingo.I was so touched that I just wanted to tell him how important he still is to me. So I called him and it was so nice to talk to the 97 years old master.
His tone and relaxation, his timing, the archaic, unfortunately almost forgotten way of toneconcept, he had it all. The Nielsen concerto, lots of orchetral works, especially the Nielsen symphonies and the Rachmaninoff 2nd symphony, it is all pure and from the heart.
But apart from his exquisite musicianship he was and is a true gentleman. I was so glad to hear John and his so nice wife Ann still live together in their home!
Post Edited (2015-02-26 01:04)
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Author: kenb
Date: 2015-02-26 05:48
Elgar Cello Concerto/Jacqueline DuPre with LPO and Barenboim.
John McCaw is playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUgdbqt2ON0
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Author: alph
Date: 2015-02-26 09:38
I indeed forgot to mention this recording, watching him play in such musical surroundings, super!
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Author: Andrez444
Date: 2015-07-24 00:26
It has been reported today that Jack McCaw has passed away.
Farewell to the great man.
http://jessicamusic.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/farewell-to-wonderful-clarinettist.html
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Author: rtaylor
Date: 2015-07-29 18:37
I had the pleasure to study with John McCaw back in the early 80s for a whole semester.
One of my favorite moments was if you played a note out of tune he would
say:
"That's a bit cracky"
An all around wonderful person to have known.
He will be missed.
Robert
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