In Reply to: Circa 1978 a young female string player told me that Stern's attitude was "Lay for an 'A' ." posted by John Marks on July 10, 2014 at 15:00:05:
"Plays like a pig" is a bit strong in my opinion, John. Even Aaron Rosand, who is a nice guy (a close friend of mine is studying with him now, and I've met him socially) but is very bitter about how he was treated, doesn't go that far. You probably have heard that Vivaldi double concerto with Stern and David Oistrakh on Columbia (with Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra) and Oistrakh's superiority is evident, but then there is a video of Oistrakh playing the Bach double with Menuhin, and Menuhin doesn't fare well in comparison either. Really, you may not like Heifetz, but you must admit Oistrakh and Milstein were ahead of everyone else, not just Stern.
Stern was a very fine violinist whose technique progressively deteriorated as he aged (but didn't retire), and didn't deserve to completely dominate the New York and even the American violin scene as he did due to his powerful connections, especially after Heifetz essentially retired in the late 50s. But that's showbiz.
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Follow Ups
- RE: Circa 1978 a young female string player told me that Stern's attitude was "Lay for an 'A' ." - rbolaw 20:20:45 07/10/14 (9)
- Yup; that's showbiz--and, "The Yehudi and Celi SHow"! (YT) - John Marks 06:44:08 07/11/14 (8)
- RE: Yup; that's showbiz--and, "The Yehudi and Celi SHow"! (YT) - rbolaw 08:16:04 07/11/14 (7)
- RE: The Archduke -- I agree! But there is - goldenthal 14:46:32 07/12/14 (1)
- Yes, that's a great one. nt - rbolaw 18:39:23 07/12/14 (0)
- So, it is reprehensible that powerful and successful men sleep with - tinear 15:55:34 07/11/14 (3)
- So then why is it are you obsessed... - mkuller 19:24:22 07/11/14 (0)
- Again, sheesh. - rbolaw 16:25:55 07/11/14 (1)
- It's a successful man thing. The difference is that no other country remains - tinear 18:09:32 07/11/14 (0)
- Yes, I had heard that Rampal was a horndog nt - John Marks 13:34:08 07/11/14 (0)