Couldn't agree more Tony, growing up as a young aspiring player listening to his recordings of Haydn concertos with Neville Marriner and the ASMF, the Leopold Mozart, the early Strauss concerto recordings with Kertesz, the Britten Serenade with Britten, that ridiculous Zelenka recording, and the phenomenal album of unheard of baroque concertos, to name but a few, his playing was such an inspiration. I only wish I'd heard him play live in the orchestra, the few recordings of his days in the LSO that I have sound very exciting, he must have been thrilling to sit alongside in a section. I heard him play concertos a couple of times towards the end of his career, and I've always found it difficult to explain to students just how all encompassingly huge his sound was as he filled a concert hall so effortlessly. What a great pity he's not still around in this country where he enjoyed most of his superb career, to pass on his wonderful knowledge and experience to the younger generation of players. I've only had the privilege of meeting him a couple of times, and he was the perfect gent, very friendly, modest, and encouraging. Many Happy Returns Barry, and "Lang may yer lum reek!" as we say north of the border!
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