 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: duxburyclarinetguy
Date: 2008-09-13 14:51
When Robert Marcellus won the Cleveland job he was quoted in a interview as saying he faced some very stiff competition. Does anyone know who those other players may have been? Thanks
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2008-09-13 17:36
I was one of Mr. Marcellus's last students at NU (Perf Cert, '93).
In conversation, I remember him saying the position was between him and Stanley Hasty and that the defining excerpt came down to Beethoven 8....but not the Minuet/Trio solo that we all practice!
It was the repeated eighth notes in the beginning of the second movement. Szell wanted a short, dry staccato and used that unexpected excerpt to make the decision.
The person who could verify this story would be Greg Smith so perhaps he will respond.
I do not know if there were other finalists.
Also, Mr. M told me that Szell kept a small record book with a "depth chart" for all the principal positions so that in the event that anyone suffered a long term illness, he knew who he wanted to invite to play in the Cleveland Orchestra and how to reach them.
How's that for job security???
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2008-09-13 21:21
No that was secret....not even Mr. M knew who would be called if he was out!
I am sure he wanted to know though!
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2008-09-14 04:14
The way I heard the story is that when George Szell guest conducted the National Symphony in the mid-1950s he was so impressed with Principal Clarinetist Bob Marcellus that he subsequently offered him the Cleveland job.
Apologizing to NSO music director Howard Mitchell for "stealing" his star clarinetist, Szell suggested that he offer the vacated position to "that young fellow in Dallas -- Harold Wright!" Must have been #2 on the depth chart!
Auditions in those days were rarely the "cattle call" that they are now -- a conductor might solicit suggestions from a few notable teachers or other sources, and privately listen to a very few candidates before making a hiring decision.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-09-15 16:12
Was not George Silfies there at the time, perhaps as assistant principal, and orchestra pianist?
richard smith
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2008-09-16 01:18
Re: Larry's comment.
Indeed, he was heard while playing principal in National but he still had to audition for Szell. I believe Hasty was playing in Cleveland for one or two years as a fill in until the position was filled permanently. Perhaps a former Hasty student can add a comment here to verify from that angle.
Re: Richard's comment. Silfies was indeed Mr. M's assistant prior to leaving for his successful career in St. Louis. Given his abilities as a pianist, it would not be surprising if he was used as the orchestral pianist while in Cleveland.
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