Benny Goodman it was premiered by Goodman. Herman was the dedicatee (1945) and first performer (1946) of Igor Stravinsky's "Ebony Concerto", but many years later Stravinsky made another recording with Goodman as the soloist. He made a recording of Mozart's "Clarinet Quintet" in July 1956 with the Boston Symphony String Quartet at the Berkshire Festival; on the same occasion he recorded Mozart's "Clarinet Concerto in A major", K. 622, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Munch. He also recorded the clarinet concertos of Weber and Carl Nielsen. After forays outside swing, Goodman started a new band in 1953. According to
Benny Goodman to John Hammond". Goodman was regarded by some as a demanding taskmaster, by others as an arrogant and eccentric martinet. Many musicians spoke of "The Ray", Goodman's trademark glare that he directed at a musician who failed to perform to his demanding standards. After guitarist Allan Reuss incurred Goodman's displeasure, Goodman relegated him to the rear of the bandstand where his contribution would be drowned out by the other musicians. Vocalists Anita O'Day and Helen Forrest spoke bitterly of their experiences singing with Goodman "The twenty or so months I spent with Benny felt like twenty years," said Forrest. "When