Chris wrote: ".....she really doesn't like Clara R's playing at all (and I mean AT ALL), and I have to say that she would rate lower than all of the above mentioned in my list too! There, said it. Sacrilege to some maybe, but I like what I like."
"Sacrilege"? Not at all! There are plenty of people here who don't like it, and some who don't like classical music at all.
While Clara Rockmore is by far my favorite thereminist, I have never listened to one of her CD's, from beginning to end, in a single stretch. I find the theremin - ANYBODY'S theremin - rather annoying after about 10 minutes. It's a bit like a very rich paté. The first bite is delicious but I wouldn't want to make a meal of it.
When Clara toured with the great 20th century bass baritone, Paul Robeson, she did not play the first part of the concert as an opening act. Rather, the two artists shared the stage alternately throughout the entire performance. There could have been many reasons why they chose to perform this way, but I think Clara was aware that 45 minutes of theremin in one stretch was too much, no matter how skilled you are on the instrument or much your listeners like it.
The theremin is a one-trick pony. When it is well done, the trick is truly magical and you can do it multiple times, BUT NOT CONSECUTIVELY, or you will ultimately bore your audience.
There is no musical genre that does not have it fans and its detractors. Neither is there a religion so absurd, so utterly preposterous, that it does not have any 'true believers'. As extraordinary as it may seem, there are scientists with degrees from highly reputable universities, who sincerely believe that the planet is no older than ten thousand years because "the Bible tells me so".
Personally, I have nothing but the greatest respect for everyone's imaginary deities, messiahs, saviors and assorted prophets.
I even respect the Ferengi and their assorted profits!
