[Dixielandjazz] Rascher Time

[Norman Vickers]

To: DJML and musicians and Jazzfans list

From: Norman

 

This note from Lou Stalnaker, sent at my request, regarding his personal experiences with  Sigurd Rasher.  There has been considerable discussion on the Dixieland Jazz Mailing List about Sigurd Rasher, so I won’t have to detail that.  ( If you lost out on that, search for him on the internet for a biography.)

 

Lou is a semi-retired obstetrician-gynecologist, educator who plays alto saxophone in classical and jazz style.  Some years ago, when the New Orleans Symphony was performing in Pensacola, Lou was  a guest soloist with them when they played a Ravel composition which had an alto saxophone part. He is a frequent performer for the Jazz Society of Pensacola and a member of the Pensacola Civic Band ( an excellent group sponsored by Pensacola Junior College) for over 30 years.

 

Also about 10-15 years ago the Rasher quartet performed here for the University of West Florida.  The elder Rasher was not performing with them but the daughter, a member of the Berlin Symphony, played soprano  for that event.  The quartet practiced at Dr. Stalnaker’s home.

 

Thanks, Lou.  

 

 

 

From: stalnakerb at aol.com [mailto:stalnakerb at aol.com] 
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 10:51 AM
To: nvickers1 at cox.net
Subject: Rascher Time

 

Norm: 

In the fall of 1952, as a favor to me from Col. Harold Bachman, Director of Bands, University of Florida, Sigurd Rascher was invited as guest soloist with the Gator Concert Band. 

 

I was elected to host him which included picking him up at the airport in Jacksonville and delivering him to his hotel in Gainesville. 

 

Mr. Rascher was the consummate gentleman, very formal but with an occasional sense of humor. He spoke with a decided European accent and gave specific instructions as to the hour for his arrival at the rehearsal. 

 

At that point in time, I fancied myself an accomplished alto saxophone player...that is until I heard him play. I could not believe my ears, having never heard any other saxophonist in the world play as he did. 

I spent as much time with him as I could and he actually gave me the solo piece he performed with the band so that I might play it with them also...ha, ha...but I did get him to accept me as a student at his home in Shushan, NY for the summer.

 

Fortunately, my aunt and uncle had a farm in Glens Falls, NY and I stayed with them and commuted to the Rascher farm every other day. 

 

My sessions with SMR were amazing. He and I would stand, ankle deep in a brook behind his house, water nearly freezing and play duets together from things he had not yet published. I tried as best I could to sound and phrase as he did, but it was simply impossible. I think it would have been easier if he had just ridiculed me and my efforts, but he always was complimentary, kind and making appropriate suggestions. This was simply more than I could take, knowing every day the rest of my life he was out there, unbelievably better and at the same time as gracious and modest as anyone could be.

 

I left Shushan that summer, returned to the U of F, changed my major to premed and remained friends with him and with his wife and Carina. I traveled to Europe three times and met and stayed with members of the Rascher Quartet and had them as guests of mine in Pensacola on two occasions. 

I did get the opportunity to take a two week tour with the U of F Concert Band and actually did play the "Rascher" solo with them, not as he would but as best I could.

 

My experience with Sigurd M. Rascher was certainly a high point in my life and what he alone has done for the saxophone in unequalled.

 

Lou Stalnaker

 

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