Re: Florida Philharmonic Review

[bon@xxxxxxxxxx (Robert Bonfiglio)]

Dear David,

I am in total agreement with you!   I don't get at all bent out of shape
about any review; it's the reviewers.  They are killing classical music;
they can't seem to say that they had a "good time" at a concert.

I do have critics accepting the harmonica as a classical instrument now;
but every review for anyone, including the best violinists and pianists,
has the enthusiasm of a 'wet noodle'.

They make it seem like someone who has a shot and a beer and likes open
stage jams wouldn't like my concert.  And the opposite!  I have had a blast
hearing Kim Wilson at the Minnesota Harmonica Summit and I know several
blues guys had a good time when I played with the Minnesota Orchestra -
they even like the blues encores.

I am not complaining about reviews I get, but about the way classical
reviewers write.  These guys have ivory towers that bear no resemblance to
reality.  We would be better off if the rock critic came down; maybe there
might be a Wow! or two in the headlines.

Harmonically yours,

Robert Bonfiglio




>I may just be a working stiff who's idea of a good night is a shot, a beer,
>and a "chop & drop" open stage jam in South Chicago... but at least I don't
>get my nose bent out of shape over a music review and a little joke. Whiners
>don't last long down here.
>I'm sorry you had to take time out from playing in every country on the
>planet to address the proletariat.
>
>Bob, what's your beef? I mean, it looks to me like you've got it pretty
>good, like you're "in the pocket":
>1. You have a family.
>2. You are healthy.
>3. You are successful, educated, respected, and professionally accredited.
>4. You play "classical concertos" on a harmonica and people pay to hear
>them, which is what I assume you have always wanted to do.
>5. You've been to every country on the planet.
>6. You have a great talent. People go nuts when you play.
>7. You have a slick website temple with a spinning photo of yourself.
>
>So what if some poor shmuck gave you a a minor criticism? So what if I made
>a joke? What the heck do you care what those lowly reviewers and a guy like
>me thinks anyway?
>
>Most of the people I know wish they had YOUR problems.

http://www.robertbonfiglio.com