Gonzalo Garcia excelled in the same vein in "Rubies," while the admirable Kristin Long was a bit heavy and less than daring as his partner, and Muriel Maffre's footwork as the soloist needed more care.
Several soloists needed stronger stage personalities.
The whole cast – 11 soloists are needed for all the Paters, Maters and Marias – was a top-class one.
Regarding Ben Ratliff's thought-provoking arguments regarding the overindulgent jazz soloist and the need for a "jazz literature" ["The Solo Retreats From the Spotlight in Jazz," May 28]: I found that Keith Jarrett's response to the article [Letter to the Editor, June 11] partly supported, rather than denied, Mr. Ratliff's point.
"I grew up thinking that if I am going to be a soloist, I really need to play an old Italian violin in order to be successful," says Giora Schmidt, who participated in the study.
Except for when Hagström needs a soloist, he and Thordendal rarely record together.
The other works needed the soloist to sell them.
(The permanent lineup change was perhaps inevitable, as Mr. Desmond was desperate to join his old friend's increasingly popular band, but it may also have had to do with physical necessity: Mr. Brubeck had suffered a serious neck injury while swimming in Hawaii, limiting his dexterity, and he needed another soloist to help carry the music).
Even concert versions, with no staging, scenery or costumes, need soloists, orchestra and choruses.
She really accompanies a singer, shapes the music to give the soloists what they need".
