 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-08-20 14:36
I had the honor of being a student of Mr. Wright--- and was totally in love with his tone and command of the instrument. Are their any fellow BBoarder's who share my feelings?.... He had a tremndous sound and his recording of the Schubert Octet is my favorite of alltime.
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-08-20 14:43
Me.
I am sorry I never had the honor of meeting him. I did hear him live a few times and have bought every recording I could get. Used to study that Schubert recording and the Beethoven Septet in High School like it was a religion.
For me he was the first clarinet player who was able to play with the likes of Casals and Serkin, etc. as a total equal in chamber music.
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: John Moses
Date: 2002-08-20 17:01
Hi David:
I also studied with Buddy, for a brief time in the '60s.
His tone was exceptional, but what I was most impressed by, was his dynamic and expressive range.
He taught me that the clarinet could be expressive when played very softly. And loud never had to be ugly.
He was a great artist and is greatly missed by us all.
Thanks for those wonderful years, Buddy.
JJM
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Author: Pete
Date: 2002-08-21 00:47
David Hattner,
You mention Serkin (the elder?) and Casals. Maybe a lot of heart, but not much technique in either case? Compare, for instance, Kempf and Starker. Seems a lot like appreciating Landowska for her role in bringing back the harpsichord, although her recordings of Mozart sonatas on PIANO are really good.
Pete
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-21 00:50
sorry - never heard of him. But then again, you guys (americans) have probably never heard of Paul Dean - so we're even.
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Author: The other John Gibson
Date: 2002-08-21 01:29
I heard Harold Wright at one of the first Clarinet Festivals in Denver. He played the Saint Saens Sonata. People were complaining about the choice of music, but he played it so masterfully and musically it just blew me away. I have yet to hear a clarinet player play a romantic style piece so effectivly.
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Author: Bob Culbreth
Date: 2002-08-21 02:46
I had the pleasure of hearing Mr.Wright perform the Debussy Rhapsody in Bostons' symphony hall. It was one of the most incredible performances I've heard. His sound resonated so well in that large hall and all of the nuance was there. Even the very soft dynamics could easily be heard.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-08-21 03:26
One of the most lyrical, musical and fluid players ever. His playing literally would draw you in, like someone telling an intimate story. You would forget about the clarinet because it never seemed to be about the instrument, but about the music. At the same time, his tone was so full of life and color and his command of the instrument so complete. For anyone unfamiliar with his playing go to www.bostonrecords.com and check out his recordings. Also look for his work with the BSO and the BSO Chamber players. It is a crime some of the stuff has gone out of print.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-21 04:26
Not a big fan of american orchestras I must say ... at least, let me clarify - I don't like the brash sound the horns (and other brass) make. As to US orchestra's woodwind departments - I personally can't go past the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - they just have a certain "je ne sais pas".
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Author: Mark S.
Date: 2002-08-21 13:07
Glorious! I did meet him, and attended a master class of his as well. Wonderful musician, teacher, and person. I've had two K622's in rotation since I was 10 - one is Marcellus', and the other Wright's.
M.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-08-21 15:07
I carry two live Wright performances in my head, as the ideal way of playing.
One is a Schubert Octet done at a tiny hall at New York University, with Alexander Schneider and other top New York players. Wright was elegant and effortless, and everyone was obviously having great fun. It was music the way I dream of making it.
The other is a Brahms Quintet at the 92nd Street Y, with Music from Marlboro. Wright's sound was glorious, and it was one of those great moments (or half hours) of musicmaking.
I still remember where I was sitting and what the stage looked like.
The 4 live recital recordings from Boston Records give a great demonstration of his unique tone and musical artistry.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Brian Peterson
Date: 2002-08-21 21:03
I remember as puny high school freshmen listening to Wright from the nosebleed section of Symphony Hall in Dallas when the BSO came to town back in the early 80's. They played Dvorak 8 and I can still hear his glorious solo from the last movement--exquisite!!
Afterwards my friends and I snuck back to the stage entrance where I got to shake his hand. Completely dumbfounded in the presence of the master, I said something really stupid like "Ah, gee, Mr. Wright, what kind of reeds do you use?" I don't remember what he said, only that he conveyed an air or kindness and patience that a dumb question like mine really didn't warrant especially after giving the music his all for a hour and a half. The world is definitely less of a place without him.
My teacher studied with Wright and has a picture of him on a shelf in his studio. I like to think that through Steve, I can come to appreciate the kind of player and person Buddy truly was.
Brian Peterson
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-08-22 19:52
Although I only listened to his CDs, I felt if he had much more tone color variation like older French clarinetists.
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