Larry Adler - my experience.
It was at the Trossinger Hohner International Competition in '95 (I believe
it was '95, or close to that year anyways).
Larry Adler was a guest of honor and was staying at the only real nice hotel
in Trossingen. It was breakfast/brunch time. It appeared to me that everyone
was avoiding this small skinny man with big glasses as he moved through the
buffet line, sitting by himself in the corner and eating.
At the time, I was, in a sense, new to the old chromatic masters in my
understanding of who they were and what they have done in their lives. I was also
fearless and a bit daft at the time, not really understanding the major
figure he was. So, I wandered over and asked if he would mind if I joined him for
breakfast. He seemed glad that someone actually came over to talk to him
rather than avoid him.
I introduced myself, mentioned that I knew who he was and admitted that I
was new to the "scene" and therefore only had heard of him through reading, so
was unfamiliar with what he had done. Apparently, this was a somewhat new
experience for him, so he really relaxed and opened up, glad for the company for
a moment. We chatted inconsequentially through the breakfast. Joe Filisko
snapped a picture of the two "Larry's" chatting which I have somewhere in a box
of photos.
Larry was pretty down to earth and had lost none of his sharp mind nor wit.
If I had realized exactly his stature, I probably would have either never
approached him or started gushing. As it was, it was just a cool breakfast.
Later on I competed in the World Diatonic Competition. After my "spot", when
I left the small stage, Larry came up to me and shook my hand. He told me
"I'm pretty well known for not liking the short harp, but I really enjoyed the
way you play and your tone."
It was only later that I realized the amazing compliment - especially in
regards to the diatonic.
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