I played with Maestro Bychkov in 1980 with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra in Michigan. Although he was quite confident on the podium with an enormous ego, I found him to be a capable conductor, nothing more. I'm not surprised he made it big in Europe, where excellent orchestras helped give him the aura of a leading conductor..
I was introduced to Semyon in the 1970s when he first came to America with almost nothing, especially English. Because he had very few clothes I gave him some jackets and slacks because we were both slim young men at the time and about the same size. Sadly, we lost touch with each other but I have been delighted to see where the fates have carried him.
ha,, i played 1st clarinet under bychkov at mannes conservatory in the late 70s,,,i remember i could not get the timing right on the clarinet solo in the 2nd mov of brahms 1st so he worked with me on it,,very patient and nice,,his brother was there as well
Ds war gut. Karayan wollte Bychkov als seinen Nachfolger in Berlin. Das Orchester nicht. Das hatte aber nix mir Bychkov zu tun. Und war am Ende nicht gut fuer ihn.
