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Re: John (Jack) McCaw

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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