 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-03-18 16:57
I realize that there are alot of Stoltzman fans out there but I recently heard him on CBC FM 2 with the Vancouver Symphony(Sergiu Commisina) performing the Weber 1st Concerto.
The opening movement started out quite nicely. The Vancouver Symphony has a nice homogenous sound. In the opening theme Stoltzman sounded quite nice and played the triplet section with his usual fluidity.
It was towards the end of the 1st movement I noticed his vibrato became something of a distraction....however, I looked forward to the 2cd movement and thought there was room to pull off this performance...
Then, to my disbelief the tone in the 2cd movement was not only ugly but the vibrato was really on the gross side.
I could not believe it, but it sounded like he was at war with the clarinet...the fluidness and warmth became harsh and brittle....the throat a tones were all just too whiny...
Then the finale came and the tempo was so slow....on top of this he really sounded like he was playing a period instrument which is not easy to do...the runs upward to high G were forced....
I could not believe, here was the worst I ever heard Stoltzman ever play....all in all a bad outing.....
David Dow
Post Edited (2004-03-18 16:58)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-03-18 17:20
David... Thanks for the review.
Generally I am a Stoltzman fan, having heard him play live a few times, but not recently.
He usually plays fairly effortlessly with his typical (sometimes over the top) expressiveness, which often seems to work (for him).
Perhaps he is now spending too much time playing (his style of) jazz?
I would wager that 95% of the audience didn't hear what you heard and probably thought his performance was fabulous...GBK
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-03-18 17:38
Yes, I suspect this as well. I was just so dissapointed in the slow movement...it became very artificial. I have always liked his playing..I heard him play the 1st concerto live many years ago, but not with the excess vibrato which became cloying...
I AM ALSO fond of the Brahms Sonatas with Richard Goode as well, THEY ARE very different. No, for me this was just vulgarity...he also may have been having a bad night as well.
David Dow
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-03-18 17:41
Unfortunately, in the larger sense, if 95% of the audience thought his performance was outstanding, then it really doesn't matter ...GBK
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-03-19 13:43
Just out of curiosity, how much is Stoltzman liked or disliked by clarinettists?
Sounds quite silly (because everyone has his/her own taste), but I remember one of my former teachers simply hated him(didn't know why..was not at the level to understand.. not even now, for that matter..), whereas his albums are the easiest ones you can find under clarinet section in a music store.
Lucy Lee Jang
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-19 13:47
If you think Stoltzman has a lot of detractors in the clarinet community, go to "Sax On The Web" and see how well-regarded Kenny G is among saxophonists.....
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-19 13:50
I'm wondering just what the point of this unsolicited review was. So, you didn't like his performance! So what?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-03-19 14:04
claclaws wrote:
> Just out of curiosity, how much is Stoltzman liked or disliked
> by clarinettists?
Please do a search here to find a few long threads; we're not about to start a new one about Stoltzman right now.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-03-19 14:05
BobD wrote:
> I'm wondering just what the point of this unsolicited review
> was.
Unsolicited reviews of performances are pretty common here, and welcome.
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-03-19 14:06
thanks, E.Spiegelthal, Mark Charette. Got it.
Lucy Lee Jang
Post Edited (2004-03-19 14:12)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-19 14:11
"Unsolicited reviews of performances are pretty common here, and welcome."
Well, let's just remove the word "unsolicited", then.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2004-03-19 14:23
I have never had the chance to hear him live, but have a few CDs of him.
I think his style of play can be amazing but is not suited for all kind of music. I really enjoy his Brahms trio and sonatas. I am a bit more skeptical towards his recordings of the french classics. Anyways nice to hear the review, I wish I could have been there.
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-03-19 16:06
I'm assuming this was a live performance... How does it compare to his recording of the Weber 1 Concerto (same CD with Rossini Theme and Variations). I listened to this recording once and remember that it was good (of course, I didn't scrutinize it for little stuff).
I don't think it's fair to compare Kenny G to Stoltzman (although I get your point). While Stoltzman does do a lot of easily listening-type CDs, he also has an impressive body of classical recordings (which, as far as I know, Kenny G doesn't). Additionally, even if you don't like his style, he has done alot to increase the repertoire for the clarinet. Although many concertos and other works written for him may not be that popular or well-known right now, some day they may be the staples of the rep...
One thing I always say about Stoltzman is that he seems to play more expressively than any other clarinetist. He seems to be able to speak with his clarinet more than any other, and I think that exercising such flexibility occassionally causes his sound to be slightly less pleasant than other players. Even with the occassionaly moment when his sound is a bit grating, I'd still rather hear Stoltzman play than anyone else (not that there aren't others that I like).
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-19 18:21
Actually I don't think the Kenny G analogy is all that bad --- both he and Stoltzman have 'bent' (we won't use the term "perverted") the artistic side of their respective crafts in order to increase their popularity and make boodles of money --- and true KG is not a classical player by any means, but it has been reported that he can play traditional-modern jazz/fusion/be-bop quite competently when he feels so inclined --- he simply chooses to play elevator jazz and be filthy-rich instead --- a personal choice, not a lack of talent. I don't think Stoltzman represents quite so extreme an example of artistic 'prostitution', but some might argue that he's been heading in that direction (I've read the same sort of criticisms leveled against Yo-Yo Ma, to use another example).
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Author: BSL
Date: 2004-03-20 14:13
WOW!!! HE IS HUMAN!!! It sure is nice to know I'm not the only one who has bad days.
These people become so elevated to idol status. It is impossible to maintain perfection all the time. To hear any kind of mistake or problem from these players is a bit of fresh air, showing the world it is possible to do what they are doing.
Personally, I admire him even more- hearing this.
Thankyou for this review!!!! 
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-03-20 17:57
I've never been a fan of Stoltzman or of Acker Bilk, but both serve to illustrate the rift of taste between musicians and the average listener. Stoltzman has clearly found something that resonates with at least some people, as illustrated by the fact that you can walk in a record store and find one of his CD's. No small feat for a clarinet player.
I plan to attend a masterclass that he is giving in April, and am looking forward to hearing what advice he dispenses to the participants.
Allen Cole
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-03-20 20:34
In the pop music world, Stoltzman, KG, and Yo-yo Ma would be accused of "selling out", a charge usually made by people who are less successful and (at least a little bit) jealous.
On www.amazon.com I counted about 24 CDs that were Stoltzman doing exclusively classical (as opposed to pop) style music, and this isn't counting many CDS that feature just a piece or two by him (lots of "Mostly Mozart" type albums mainly...). He's recorded many major works for the clarinet, included Quartet for the End of Time and the Copland Concerto (two recordings in particular that many consider to be definitive). Additionally, these classical recordings also include a variety of modern works, many of which were written for him, as I mentioned above. Whether or not you like his style, you can't accuse him of totally whoring out to the pop market. That being said, he also has many pop type albums. I think Stoltzman is a rarity in that he has one foot planted (relatively firmly) on each side of the fence and manages to excel in both areas.
I can understand some people's frustration in devoting their time and effort to playing the clarinet "perfectly", only to have somebody like Stoltzman degrade the profession and art-form and make more money than the rest of us ever will (I personally don't feel this way, but I can understand that some might). I"m sure there's others who wish him the best, but just personally don't care for his style. Me personally, I have heard a few moments of his that made me whince (at little), but over all I find his style captivating.
I'm sorry if these topics have already been discussed into the ground, but I just think it's important to remember the contributions he's made to the classical world before call him a sell-out.
Thanks
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: Rivers
Date: 2004-03-20 21:45
Stoltzman degrade the profession.....? Come on....Misery truly loves company..It is fine for someone to be a starving artist in pursuit of some mystical musical nirvana...where no one is supposed to become too commerically successful and if they do.....they have simply sold out.....
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-03-20 21:57
It's been too soon since the last long Stotlzman thread to start yet another one.
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