Posted by Gary Stucka on May 10, 1999 at 13:37:42:
In Reply to: teachers of "new" vs "old" sound and styles posted by Charles Brooks on May 09, 1999 at 19:28:35:
At the risk of enraging you and many cello-chat readers, are you sure that you want to pursue a so-called new and cleaner style??? I know a very prominent cellist who, when asked for the secrets of his success, answered "In tune, in time". This cellist, incidently, often BORES ME TO TEARS!!! If cleanliness is the sole goal to have in music, with no passion, no risk-taking, no eloquent turns of phrase.......well, no wonder we're losing audiences. (this post is NOT a criticism against Ma OR Isserlis.....I've enjoyed them both. I guess I'm shocked to hear of Rostropovich as being an "old" school cellist. I find something valuable in ALL 20th Century cellists, but especially in the pre-1960 group. Just my opinion.)