THE Clarinet Blog

Celebrating Leonard Bernstein

2018-08-23T18:37:00.001-07:00

This Saturday, August 25th 2018, we celebrate what would have been Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday. We all know Leonard Bernstein as one of America's most influential conductor, composer, and intellectual. Much has been written about this man and his accomplishments. For THE Clarinet Blog's purpose, we would like to share a few things of interest to all musicians and to clarinetists in particular.

Leonard Bernstein understood the importance of bringing up the next generation of professional musicians. He was dedicated to this notion in the same way doctors taking the hippocratic oath assume the responsibility of sharing knowledge with a new generation of physicians. In this video: Teachers and Teaching, An Autobiographic Essay by Leonard Bernstein, he discusses in detail the importance of this concept.

What we see as one of Bernstein's greatest accomplishment of his time was his ability to share the joy of classical music. He was able to engage a generation of young people and make our beloved music accessible, desirable, and exciting. As music director of the New York Philharmonic he presented Young People's Concerts, which were broadcast on CBS throughout the world. In one of these concerts Bernstein explains the music and style of Copland, and introduces clarinetist Stanley Drucker, the soloist, in a performance of Copland Clarinet Concerto.

Clarinetist Ricardo Morales and Dali Quartet Help Raise Funds for Devastated Puerto Rico

2017-09-27T10:36:00.001-07:00

Puerto Rican clarinetist, Ricardo Morales, of The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Dali Quartet, were schedule to perform a concert in Puerto Rico on October 1st. Although the concert was postponed due to the devastation of both hurricane Irma and Maria, there will be a benefit concert held this Sunday, October 1 at 6pm at North Penn Church of Christ, 300 North Wales Road, North Wales, Pennsylvania. For more information, please click here. The funds raised will go to United for Puerto Rico an initiative brought forth by the First lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló in collaboration with the private sector, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane María.

Donate Here

The Launch of Something Completely Different! Reinventing the Clarinet Competition...

2017-03-07T14:35:00.000-08:00

When the Backun Musical Group does anything, it is done exceptionally, from the thought that goes behind their instruments and accessories that help beginners excel without hindrance, to freeing the musician to reach their highest artistry. Now they are offering a competition in a festival setting that is an inclusive environment for all clarinetists to compete, perform, and collaborate.

In just two days Backun Musical's international clarinet competition will take place in Nashville, Tennessee at the Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University. Twenty-three competitors from around the globe including Columbia, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the U.S.A. will have the opportunity to perform for highly respected pedagogues and performers including the Chief Judge of the jury Richard Hawkins, and David Shifrin who will preside over both committees for young artists and junior artists during the final rounds.

This competition is an opportunity for all clarinetists to be inspired and improve their skills. The best way to learn is to watch and listen and this event will have concerts galore by master musicians including Ricardo Morales, Philadelpia Orchestra; David Shifrin, Yale University; Corrado Giufreddi, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana; Bil Jackson, Vanderbilt University; Wonkak Kim, Tennessee Tech University; and James Zimmermann, Nashville Symphony.

Master classes are available to competitors, as well as pre-approved registrants. All can observe the ten master classes that will be held over the three day event. For more detailed information visit Backun Musical Services website here. For those who cannot attend and do not want to miss the great performances, Clarinet Mentors is providing a live stream of concerts and master classes over the three day period for a fee of $270. Visit their webpage for more information and to register here.

Paquito D'Rivera Awarded by Chamber Music America

2017-01-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

"he has become the consummate multinational ambassador, creating and promoting a cross-culture of music that moves effortlessly among jazz,

Latin, and Mozart.”~The National Endowment for the Arts

Paquito D'Rivera, Photo credit Ricardo Rios

Congratulations to Paquito D'Rivera who was awarded for his significant and lasting contribution to the chamber music field by Chamber Music America. He will be interviewed at their annual conference in a program called "A Conversation with Paquito D'Rivera on Sunday, January 15 from 10:45 to 11:45 at the Westin New York at Times Square. For more information about Chamber Music America visit here.

Born in Havana, Cuba, he performed at age 10 with the National Theater Orchestra, studied at the Havana Conservatory of Music and, at 17, became a featured soloist with the Cuban National Symphony. D'Rivera defies categorization. The winner of fourteen GRAMMY Awards, he is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. Paquito's performances like his compositions are full of life, wit and often shared wisdoms. Here is one of his performances on clarinet:

His numerous recordings include more than 30 solo albums. In 1988, he was a founding member of the United Nation Orchestra, a 15-piece ensemble organized by Dizzy Gillespie to showcase the fusion of Latin and Caribbean influences with jazz. D’Rivera continues to appear as guest conductor. A GRAMMY was awarded the United Nation Orchestra in 1991, the same year D’Rivera received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Carnegie Hall for his contributions to Latin music. Additionally, D’Rivera’s highly acclaimed ensembles- the Chamber Jazz Ensemble, the Paquito D'Rivera Big Band, and the Paquito D’Rivera Quintet are in great demand world wide.

While Paquito D'Rivera's discography reflects a dedication and enthusiasm for Jazz, Bebop and Latin music, his contributions to classical music are impressive. They include solo performances with the London Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. He has also performed with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, the Costa Rica National Symphony, the Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, the Bronx Arts Ensemble, and the St. Luke’s Chamber Orchestra, among others. In his passion to bring Latin repertoire to greater prominence, Mr. D'Rivera has successfully created, championed and promoted all types of classical compositions, including his three chamber compositions recorded live in concert with distinguished cellist Yo-Yo Ma in September 2003. The chamber work “Merengue,” from that live concert at Zankel Hall, was released by Sony Records and garnered Paquito his 7^th GRAMMY as Best Instrumental Composition 2004.

In addition to his extraordinary performing career as an instrumentalist, Mr. D’Rivera has rapidly gained a reputation as an accomplished composer. The prestigious music house, Boosey and Hawkes, is the exclusive publisher of Mr. D’Rivera’s compositions. One of the most played compositions for clarinet is Contradanza. Below you can hear it being played by Jose Franch Ballester:

For further information, please see paquitodrivera.com

Groundbreaking Composer Kaija Saariaho at Met Opera

2016-12-10T21:42:00.002-08:00

Composer, Kaija Saariaho, known to clarinetists for her clarinet concerto, D’OM LE VRAI SENS, inspired by six medieval tapestries, The Lady and the Unicorn, in which each tapestry depicts, with rich symbolism, the five senses and a ‘sixth sense.’ Her clarinet concerto was first commissioned by The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and later by other orchestras including the New York Philharmonic and was written for and premiered by extraordinary Finnish clarinetist Kari Krikku.

Saariaho’s unique perspective and sound gives rise to emotions and ideas that have daunted human nature for centuries. Adding to her exciting career Saariaho is the first woman composer in more than a century to have an opera performed at the Metropolitan Opera House. L’Amour de Loin (Love from Afar), is based on “La Vida Breve,” by the great twelfth-century troubadour Jaufré Rudel, about a wealthy Aquitaine prince who falls in love from a distance with the Countess of Tripoli. The libretto was written by French-Lebanese author, Amin Maalouf. If you have not already seen the opera tickets are still available here through December 29, 2016.

Below is the performance of D'OM LE VRAI SENS with clarinetist Kari Krikku:

Philadelphia Sound--Morales Plays New Concerto

2016-03-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

“The Philadelphia Sound is born of the deep musicality, the generosity of spirit, and the incomparable commitment to ensemble playing of our Orchestra musicians. It is a unity of sound that distinguishes The Philadelphia Orchestra from all others.”

– Yannick

Composer, Jonathan Leshnoff

In a continuation of the Philadelphia Orchestra's proud tradition of commissioning new works, Yannick and the orchestra will present a new Clarinet Concerto by Jonathan Leshnoff. According to Ricardo Morales, principal clarinetist, "I'm mesmerized by his melodic style." The opportunity to hear the performance of this new work, commissioned for Ricardo Morales, is on April 14, 15, and 16 at Verizon Hall in the Kimmel Center. Also on this concert you will hear Leonard Bernstein's suite from his ballet Fancy Free and Sergei Prokofiev's seventh symphony, which was given its U.S. premiere by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Eugene Ormandy. Visit here for tickets.

Ricardo Morales, Principal Clarinetist of the Philadelphia Orchestra

Celebration of a Most Influential Teacher

2016-02-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, February 14, there will be a celebration of the life of Leon Russianoff, at the Manhattan School of Music's Miller Recital Hall from 10:30am to 12:30pm followed by two concerts. Mr. Russianoff died 25 years ago and would celebrate his 100th birthday this year. He was one of the most important clarinet teachers in the country, and especially New York, for decades, serving on the faculties of both MSM and Juilliard for many years. He produced many great players including Alan Kay, Frank Cohen, Stanley Drucker, Naomi Drucker, David Krakauer, Charles Neidich and Larry Combs, for example. If you’re in New York this weekend, please feel free to come for a day of remembrance and two concerts honoring Mr. Russianoff, featuring many of his students, some who currently teach at MSM.

Some of Leon Russianoff's students from top left, clockwise, Alan R. Kay, Stanley Drucker, David Krakauer, Larry Combs, Charles Neidich, and Franklin Cohen

For those who cannot attend but are interested in learning more about why Leon Russianoff was the beloved teacher of so many, watch these three videos:

Also, since the event is held on Valentine's Day, I would like to mention that Stanley Drucker met his wife, clarinetist, Naomi Drucker in Mr. Russianoff's studio. They named their son, Leon after their teacher, and he became the bass for The Stray Cats.

Naomi and Stanley Drucker

Super Bowl 2016 a Touchdown for Dudamel and YOLA

2016-02-03T23:36:00.001-08:00

“This is a wonderful honor and an extraordinary showcase … when we play, it will be for the youth of the world so they can be inspired to create both a better life for themselves and a better future,” Maestro Dudamel has told the LA Times.

The Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, conducted by Los Angeles Philharmonic music director, Gustavo Dudamel, will be performing during halftime. Dudamel is a product of the Venezuelan youth orchestra program El Sistema. Since then he has become a major advocate and known for helping to create life-change youth programs. YOLA's participation in Super Bowl 2016 is an extraordinary accomplishment for the organization and a wonderful recognition of the young musicians for their hard work and dedication to classical music. Athletes are touted in every aspect of our society for their strength and ability to work together to win a game. Although there is no physical scoring in playing an instrument, there is actual reading of scores, stamina to practice for hours to perfect a skill that takes endurance, concentration, and focus. Also, let’s not forget that playing in an orchestra fosters team spirit similar to playing a sport. The goal to win over the audience while expressing the joy of music through the instruments they have mastered.

Bravo to the NFL for inviting YOLA to play. This performance will show the world that not only do we value all varieties of music, but we also care about the development of our youth, not only in sports (which are extremely valuable), but also in the arts. This upcoming performance hopefully will continue a new tradition of including classical musicians at the Super Bowl that began last year when Soprano Renée Fleming sang the National Anthem.

We look forward to hearing YOLA perform on Sunday and hope more than anything, the performance will be an enriching experience for all of the students!

For more information about YOLA and its positive effect on the lives of underprivileged children in Los Angeles see this video:

Paquito D'Rivera's Jazz New Year

2015-12-28T14:50:00.002-08:00

Ring in the New Year clarinet-style with what promises to be a super performance by Paquito D’Rivera. The multi-Grammy-winning artist will be giving a concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. Alongside him will be pianist Alex Brown, steel pan player Victor Provost, drummer Eric Doob, bassist Zach Brown, percussionist Arturo Stable, and violinist Eduardo Coma. For more information about Paquito D'Rivera visit his official website. Here’s a video of Mr. D'Rivera performing Tico Tico as sample of what to expect from this exciting and engaging performer:

Happy New Year from THE Clarinet Blog!

Windscape, The "Unquintet," Performs Interesting Programs

2015-09-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

Live at Manhattan School of Music on Tuesday, September 29 at 7:30 in a free concert, “That’s Italian!” http://www.windscape5.com/#!repertoire/c14o2 They will be doing a transcription of the amazing Verdi String Quartet by Mordechai Rechtmann and a quintet by Briccialdi that they have not done before. Also, hear Windscape again, live at the Brooklyn Library on Sunday, October 4 at 4:00. "The Fabulous 50’s.” http://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/classical-interludes-wind-central-library-dweck-cen-100415 Music to include the Carter Quintet, Irving Fine Partita, Barber Summer Music, and a bunch of 1950’s jazz arrangements.

Created in 1994 by five eminent woodwind soloists, WINDSCAPE has won a unique place for itself as a vibrant, ever-evolving group of musical individualists, an "unquintet", which has delighted audiences throughout the North America. Windscape's innovative programs and accompanying presentations are created to take listeners on a musical and historical world tour--evoking through music and engaging commentary, vivid cultural landscapes of distant times and places.

As Artists-in-Residence at the Manhattan School of Music, the members of Windscape are master teachers, imparting not only the craft of instrumental virtuosity, but also presenting a distinctive concert series hailed for its creative energy and musical curiosity. The series offers the perfect setting for the ensemble to devise new, sometimes startling programs and to experiment with new arrangements and repertoire combinations. Popular programs that have emerged from this process in recent seasons include "The Roaring 20s," The Fabulous 50s," "The Young Titan: Beethoven comes to Vienna," "East Meets West: The Music of Japan and the Impressionists," and "All-American."

During the summer of 2009 Windscape launched its first Manhattan School-wide Composer Commission Competition and was delighted to present Kyle Werner's Riverside, the winning work, in several concerts. In the group's second Competition, held in 2013, three MSM student composers were chosen: Qin Ding, Xinyang Wang and David Sepulveda. Their works, written especially for Windscape, will be premiered over the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Concerts in 2014-15 bring Windscape to California, Colorado, Connecticut and New York.

In addition to Windscape's performances and residencies throughout the United States, they continue to collaborate regularly with the Orion String Quartet on the late flutist Samuel Barron's brilliant transcription of Bach’s The Art of Fugue. This collaboration originally appeared on the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center series in New York City and was recorded by Deutsche Grammophon for digital release. Performances at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Tuesday Evening Concert Series in Charlottesville, VA, the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, Duke University in North Carolina, the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego, and Yale University are highlights of the last few seasons. Extended residencies including collaborative performances with students or faculty bring the group's sparkling performances and highly regarded teaching skills to Baylor University in Texas, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, and the Clarice Smith Center at the University of Maryland.

Recent seasons have included performances at The Kennedy Center, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall with the New York String Orchestra,and the Tisch Center at the 92nd Street Y, Town Hall in New York City , The Caramoor Festival in Katonah, NY, Wolftrap in Vienna, VA, Bach Festival Society in Winter Park, FL, and the Mainly Mozart Festival Series in San Diego, CA. Windscape has also given concerts and masterclasses in Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Portland, OR, and at Baylor University in Texas, in addition to other venues around the US.

Ensemble highlights include tapings for Public Radio’s "Performance Today" and "St. Paul Sunday", a performance "Live From Glenn Gould Studio" for CBC-Toronto, and performances in Mexico and New Zealand. Esteemed chamber musicians with whom they have collaborated include the late Eugene Istomin, André-Michel Schub, John Kimura Parker, Jeremy Denk, Anne-Marie McDermott and the Orion String Quartet.

Windscape's most recent CD release is of Ursula Mamlok's "Quintet" on Bridge Records. Other critically acclaimed releases include Bach’s The Art of Fugue recorded with the Orion String Quartet for Deutsche Grammophon, The Music of Maurice Ravel and an All-Dvorak CD, with guest artists Jeremy Denk and Daniel Phillips, both on the MSR Classics label. A broadcast of their complete “Roaring 20s” performance at The Festival International Cervantino in Mexico was selected to air on Mexican television. The group's residency with the Chamber Music Society of Detroit culminated in a family concert based on their "East Meets West: A Floating World - Japan and the Impressionists" which was webcast live, and has been accessed by thousands of K-12 students in southeast Michigan. For more information, visit windscape5.com or facebook.com/windscape.

The members of Windscape:

ALAN R. KAY, clarinet
Clarinetist Alan R. Kay is Co-Principal Clarinetist and a former Artistic Director of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and serves as Principal Clarinet with New York’s Riverside Symphony and the Little Orchestra Society. He also performs as principal with the American Symphony and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Mr. Kay’s honors include the C.D. Jackson Award at Tanglewood, a Presidential Scholars Teacher Recognition Award, Juilliard’s 1980 Competition, and the 1989 Young Concert Artists Award with the sextet Hexagon later featured in the prizewinning documentary film, “Debut.” Mr. Kay is a founding member of Windscape and Hexagon; he appears regularly with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. His summer festivals include the Yellow Barn and Skaneateles Festivals, and his innovative programming at for the New York Chamber Ensemble is a feature of the Cape May Music Festival. Mr. Kay taught at the Summer Music Academy in Leipzig, Germany in 2004 and teaches at the Manhattan School of Music, The Juilliard School and Stony Brook University. He has served on the juries of the International Chamber Music Festival in Trapani, Italy, Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. A virtuoso of wind repertoire, Mr. Kay has recorded with Hexagon, Windscape, the Sylvan Winds, Orpheus and numerous other ensembles. His arrangements are available at Trevco Music Publishing and International Opus.

TARA HELEN O’CONNOR, flute
A charismatic performer sought after for her unusual artistic depth, brilliant technique and colorful tone in music of every era, Flutist Tara Helen O'Connor is a current artist member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the 1995 Naumburg Award winning New Millennium Ensemble, and WINDSCAPE, as well as the flute soloist of the world-renowned Bach Aria Group. Tara performs regularly with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Spoleto USA, Chamber Music Northwest and Music from Angel Fire. A 2001 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and two-time Grammy® nominee, Tara has appeared on A&E’s "Breakfast for the Arts" and on "Live from Lincoln Center." She has recorded for Deutsche Gramophon, EMI Classics, Koch International and Bridge Records. Ms. O'Connor is professor of flute at the Purchase College Conservatory of Music, Bard College Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music Contemporary Music Program, and teaches summer masterclasses at the Banff Centre in Canada. An avid photographer, she has photo credits in Time Out, Strad, andChamber Music America magazines.

RANDALL ELLIS, oboe
Principal oboist of Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Windscape oboist Randall Ellis received his Bachelor of Music degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts and his Master of Music degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook where he studied with Ronald Roseman. He is principal oboist of the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he also serves on the faculty. Hereceived two Grammy® nominations as principal oboist of the New York Chamber Symphony, including one for his recording of Howard Hanson’sPastorale. He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and the Florida Orchestra toured extensively as a guest artist with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Ellis has concertized and recorded with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He has been a soloist with the New England Bach Festival, the International Bach Festival of Madeira, the Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York, and Chamber Music at the 92nd Street Y. Mr. Ellis has freelanced with the Ensemble Wien-Berlin, Orchestra at St. Luke’s, the New York Philomusica and the Orchestras of the Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, and the American Ballet Theatre dance companies. He has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s Sunday Morning, and many times on PBS’s Live from Lincoln Center. His performances have been heard on National Public Radio, European radio, and NHK Radio and TV in Japan. Mr. Ellis has recorded for EMI/Angel, Columbia, Sony, RCA, Vox, Nonesuch, CRI, Pro Arte, Delos, and Deutsche Grammophon. Mr. Ellis has performed with Winton Marsalis at Jazz at Lincoln Center and on Broadway in the orchestra for the musical Wicked. He is on faculty at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.

DAVID JOLLEY, french horn
Acclaimed for his remarkable virtuosity, both as a soloist with orchestra and chamber musician, hornist David Jolley recently gave the world premiere of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Concerto for Horn with the Rochester Philharmonic, and the New York premiere at Carnegie Hall with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Other recent performances include guest appearances with the Guarneri String Quartet, the Beaux Arts Trio, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Mostly Mozart Festival and the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. Mr. Jolley has appeared in solo recitals at Alice Tully Hall and the 92nd Street "Y". He has recorded a series of Solo CD's for the Arabesque label, the most recent of which is a set of Strauss Concertos recorded with Uri Mayer and the Israel Sinfonietta. Mr. Jolley is Professor of Horn at Queens College-CUNY, Mannes College of Music, and the North Carolina School of the Arts.

FRANK MORELLI, bassoon
Frank Morelli, Manhattan School of Music graduate and former student of Stephen Maxym, holds the distinction of being the first bassoonist to be awarded a doctorate by The Juilliard School. He has more than 150 recordings to his credit on major labels including Deutsche Grammophon. The Orpheus recording "Shadow Dances", which featured Mr. Morelli, won a 2000 Grammy award. He recently released three solo CDs on MSR Classics: "Baroque Fireworks," Bassoon Brasileiro" and "Romance and Caprice". Heard as a soloist in Carnegie Hall on nine occasions, he has also appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center numerous times, including at the White House for the last state dinner of the Clinton presidency, and has performed at the 92nd Street "Y" and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as the Marlboro, Spoleto, Caramoor, Sarasota, Mostly Mozart and Norfolk festivals. He is also a member of the Festival Chamber Music Society. Mr. Morelli serves on the faculties of the Juilliard School, the Yale and Manhattan Schools of Music and SUNY Stony Brook. He is principal bassoonist of Orpheus and recently retired as principal bassoon of the New York City Opera Orchestra after 27 years. For more information visit MorelliBassoon.com.

Biographies taken from release of Frank Salomon Associates. For more information contact:email: info@franksalomon.com

Master Classes, Concerts, and Recitals With Renowned Players at ClarinetFest 2015

2015-07-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

One of the most exciting aspects of the International Clarinet Association's annual ClarinetFest is how it brings together a diverse but masterful group of clarinetists. Attendees are offered the opportunity to learn from these world-renowned masters of the clarinet while they watch them coach emerging artists. The 2015 master classes will be with Ricardo Morales of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Curtis Institute of Music, Yehuda Gilad of the Colburn School, Corrado Giuffredi of the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Karl Leister, formerly of the Berlin Philharmonic, and Jonathan Cohler of the Boston Conservatory.

Master Classes with Ricardo Morales, Corrado Giuffredi, Yuhuda Gilad, Karl Leister, and Jonathan Cohler
at ClarinetFest 2015 in Madrid

Additionally at ClarinetFest, the opportunities are endless for listening to solo recitalists and ensembles with both classic and modern clarinet repertoire. In the Prime Time Concert series as well as recitals throughout the day during the week you can hear artists including Philippe Cuper of the Paris National Opera, Steven Williamson of the Chicago Symphony, Valeria Serangeli of the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genova, Jessica Phillips Rieske of the Metropolitan Opera, Mary Backun of the Vancouver Opera, Jozsef Balogh of the Budapest Opera, Daniel Gilbert from University of Michigan, Benjamin Lulich of the Seattle Symphony, Sergio Bosi of the FORM Marche Philharmonic Orchestra, soloist and recording artist Caroline Hartig of The Ohio State University, Piero Vincenzi founder of The Italian Clarinet Choir and president of Academia Italiana del Clarinetto to name only a few of the distinguished teachers and musicians. A complete list of recitals and concerts can be found here under general schedule and for a list of all the artists in attendance visit here. Registration and all the information you need can be found at the official ICA ClarinetFest website.

ClarinetFest 2015 in Madrid devoted to "Antonio Romero and His Time"

2015-07-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

ICA's 2015 Clarinetfest in Madrid, Spain

A celebration of Spanish Clarinetist
Antonio Romero y Andia

The International Clarinet Association (ICA) in collaboration with the Association para el Desarrollo y Estudio del Clarinete (ADEC) will hold its annual conference in Madrid from July 22nd to July 26th. Devoted to the famous clarinetist Antonio Romero y Andia (1815 - 1866), on the bicentenary of his birth, the festival is a proud dedication to this extraordinary man and his influence on the clarinet world. He was one of the most prominent clarinetist of the 19th century and in the history of the clarinet as well as a composer and inventor. His pedagogical influence can be found in his writings and his influence on the instrument itself redesigning and creating his own system. For this reason the Museum and Library of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid wanted to honor him organizing an exhibition with pieces from the library collection and musical instruments of the time. A video describing his life and the exhibition curated by Pedro Rubio, clarinet teacher at the conservatory, can be found here.

One of the performance spaces at Conde Duque

José Franch Ballester

The ClarinetFest events will be held in the Conde Duque Cultural Center. The opening night concert should prove to be especially exciting as it is sponsored by Backun Musical Services and will be played by their international artists' José Franch Ballester from Moncofa, Spain and Italian clarinetist, Corrado Giuffredi accompanied by the (JONDE) Joven Orquesta Nacional de España or The Spanish National Youth Orchestra. José will be playing Oscar Navarro's "Segundo Concerto" and Corrado will be joining Jose to play Michele Mangani's "Concertpieces for Two Clarinets and Orchestra. Corrado will also be premiering Mangani's "Rossiana," a fantasy on the operas of Giachino Rossini. This is a unique opportunity to hear these two powerhouses of the clarinet world performing the works of modern-day compositions for clarinet.

For a preview of José playing Oscar Navarro's "Segundo Concerto" see the video below:

Corrado Giuffredi

For a taste of Corrado playing Michele Mangani's "Counterpiece" visit here:

For an idea of what to expect from Corrado's performance of Mangani's works listen to "Verdiana":

We will update you with information as we receive it and you can visit the official 2015 ClarinetFest page here. For those of you who are fortunate to be attending this festival here is a guide to 3 days in Madrid on Trip Advisor. Enjoy!

UNHEARD-OF: An Evening of Premiers by Clarinetist Ford Fourqurean

2015-05-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, May 10th, 2015, clarinetist Ford Fourqurean and pianist Daniel Anastasio will perform a preview concert with all premiers of clarinet music from young composers. The program is set to start at 10:30pm at the Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University. The programmed works are by dynamic composers whose commissions include the Navioy State Theatre in Uzbekistan to the Boulder Symphony in Colorado. Composers include Joe Sferra, Anne-Sophie Andersen, Taylor Ackley, Liliya Ugay, and Nathan Hudson. Mr. Fourqurean will perform the same program in the official premier concert in New York City this September.

Ford Fourqurean is a new music advocate, scholar, and performer. He is a versatile performer with solo appearances with the Georgia Philharmonic and is currently a performer with the Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players. In addition to this upcoming performance, he can be seen this summer at ClarinetFest 2015 in Madrid presenting his research on Elliott Carter's music.

From Inspired To Inspiring

2015-02-22T10:20:00.000-08:00

“Always give 100%. Always have the feeling of passion and joy.

In art, those are two ingredients that can't be taught to anyone.”

Stanley Drucker

This past November I saw and heard Stanley Drucker play the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony under the baton of Maestro David Bernard. As with all his performances, Stanley Drucker's interpretation was unique, his own style, which remains respectful and thoughtful to composer's intention while breathing passion and excitement in to every note. The PACS's music director and conductor David Bernard is also a clarinetist, who studied the instrument at Juilliard and the Curtis Institute of Music. Just like most clarinetists, he found inspiration in Stanley's performances and recordings. You can read more about David Bernard and the award winning chamber symphony here.

Understanding the significance of Stanley Drucker's contribution to the clarinet world, Maestro Bernard took the opportunity to interview him. I felt that it was important to share this excellent interview for further insight in to this great man and to understand that he was once a ten year old inspired to play the clarinet by listening to and observing the performances of Benny Goodman. We are fortunate that Stanley Drucker is spending the later part of his career, sharing his experiences, giving concerts, and advice in master classes around the world. He truly is an inspiration to clarinetists of all ages. Thank you Maestro Bernard for your generosity in making this interview available for all to read and for a limited time you can hear the concert for free here.

Here is the interview:

David Bernard: As a clarinetist growing up in the New York City area, I so fondly remember your performances with the New York Philharmonic, both live, and simulcast on TV. What are your most memorable experiences over your 60 years with the New York Philharmonic?

Stanley Drucker: There were so many. Performing the world premiere of the Corigliano Clarinet Concerto with Leonard Bernstein, recording both the Corigliano Concerto and the Nielsen Concertos, touring with the orchestra around the world. Perhaps the most memorable was performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Berlin when the wall came down. That was incredible.

DB: I've listened to your Corigliano and Nieslen recordings frequently. They are inspiring. What were the greatest influences on your playing?

SD: It was Benny Goodman who inspired me to take up the clarinet when I was 10 . It wasn't so much the Jazz itself, but simply the sound that Goodman got from the instrument grabbed me from the first time I listened to his playing. When I joined the New York Philharmonic at such a young age, I was somewhat overwhelmed by the incredible musicians around me. Working with Concertmaster, John Corigliano, Sr., Principal Oboist Harold Gomberg and Principal Horn James Chambers, each rehearsal and performance was its own masterclass for me. The experience of working with the greatest orchestral musicians and conductors of my time had a huge influence on my growth as a musician.

DB: The list of conductors you have worked with is astounding. Please share your thoughts on the conductors who have led the New York Philharmonic during your tenure.

SD: I had the privilege of working with many great conductors. Zubin Mehta was an excellent conductor who was always prepared and made great eye contact with the musicians of the orchestra. Dimitri Mitropoulos was a great performer, musical mind, and humanitarian. Pierre Boulez was wonderful-he taught us how to play music we had never seen before. And then there was Leonard Bernstein. Lenny was truly remarkable. Everything he touched was a brilliant success-inspired, eventful, warm and exciting, as both a conductor and a composer.

DB: Did Lenny ever discuss writing a clarinet concerto for you?

SD: While Lenny was just too busy to write a clarinet concerto, he did arrange for John Corigliano to write one, and then insisted on conducting the premiere! I think that the Corigliano Concerto is the hardest piece ever written for the clarinet. The Nielsen concerto has been considered the hardest. But the Corigliano has passages of great technical difficulty, very fast staccato passages and high notes played super soft. And in the slow movement, it seems like you're playing forever without breathing. It takes a lot of strength-but it always gets a standing ovation.

DB: Clarinetists are so fortunate to have the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in their repertoire. It is the crowning achievement of Mozart's prolific concerto canon-a sublime, introspective work that never fails to please. Most clarinetists encounter this work relatively early in their career, and it becomes a mainstay of their musical lives. What were your earliest experiences with the Mozart Concerto and what are your thoughts on how the work should be approached?

SD: My first performance was when I was 15 years old with the National Orchestral Association conducted by Leon Barzin. One Summer in the 1980s I performed the Mozart Concerto in all Five Boroughs of New York City as part of the New York Philharmonic outdoor concerts! In terms of interpretation, there's no absolute right or wrong. I want to see the audiences' faces and hear the applause. It is important to have the sensitivity and imagination to determine what a piece should sound like, to try to create some kind of atmosphere, but to never play it through twice exactly the same way. You try for the impossible, a chemistry that will express something you want to express.

DB: After 60 years with the New York Philharmonic, including 10 music directors, 191 solo appearances and 10,200 concerts, you deserve a rest--- But you keep a busy schedule! What is next for you?

SD: I am very busy performing both solo and chamber music concerts and teaching master classes. I am enthusiastic about teaching, as a way to give back to the next generation of students. I try instill in my students the importance of listening. All musicians should listen to themselves and the others around them. To play in an orchestra, you have to have concentration, When you actually play in performance you have to forget about fingerings, mouthpieces, reeds and all the other mechanics. You have to focus on making music and interacting with your fellow musicians.

Upcoming Premiere of New Piece for Two Clarinets and Band by Michele Mangani

2015-01-22T17:30:00.001-08:00

Michele Mangani, Composer

On Sunday, February 1st at 11am in the auditorium of Parco Della Musica in Roma, clarinetists Corrado Giuffredi and Giulio Cuseri will perform the premiere of Michele Mangani’s “Concertpiece” for two clarinets and band, under the direction of Col. Leonardo Laserra of the Banda Musicale della Guardia di Finanza.

Michele Mangani, also a clarinetist, has provided the clarinet world with beautiful and exciting music, including Verdiana and many more. Surely, this piece, like his others will be an extraordinary addition to the clarinet repertoire!

Happy New Year from THE Clarinet Blog!

2014-12-31T09:30:00.002-08:00

We leave this year in remembrance of American jazz clarinet legend, Buddy DeFranco, who many of you know passed away on December 24th of this year at the age of 91. His technical finesse and extraordinary musicianship are something for all clarinetists and music lovers to revisit again and again. Here is a 1982 performance on the Johnny Carson Show in tribute to this great man. All the best for an incredible 2015.

Ricardo Morales to Play Debussy and Rossini this Thanksgiving Weekend

2014-09-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Ricardo Morales once again this year is to perform as a soloist on an exciting concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra. This Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov. 28, 29, and 30), on a program that will additionally include Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, Mr. Morales will play BOTH the Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie and Rossini's Introduction, Theme and Variations. This not-to-miss program already has limited availability, so act soon!

You can purchase tickets here.

The Philadelphia Orchestra has released a preview of the concert, which you can view here:

Kari Kriikku to Perform with New York Philharmonic

2014-09-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

This fall promises to be an exciting season for clarinetists with upcoming concerts including soloists performing varied programs from concerto premiers to all-time favorite classics. On September 23^rd, Finnish clarinetist, Kari Kriikku will perform the U.S. premier of Unsuk Chin’s Clarinet Concerto with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Alan Gilbert.

Mr. Kriikku’s ability to communicate modern composers’ intent, his unique style, and indescribable energy needs to be seen and heard for themselves as these attributes are what makes his performances so compelling. He has also premiered renowned Finnish composers Kaija Saariaho, D’OM LE VRAI SENS, a concerto that she wrote for Mr. Kriikku, as well as, Kimmo Hakola’s concerto and Magnus Lindberg’s clarinet concerto.

For tickets and further information about the concert and to hear a clip of the Unsuk Chin's Clarinet Concerto visit here. For further background information on Kari Kriikku visit his website.

Celebrating America's Birthday Clarinet Style

2014-07-03T16:11:00.001-07:00

This 4th of July weekend "The King of Swing" still rules supreme. Come dance the night away in Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park as Dan Levinson and James Langton's New York All-Star Big Band, including members of Goodman’s last ensemble, faithfully recreates the captivating sounds of his most popular tunes. For tickets and more information visit here.

Celebrating Shakespeare's 450th Birthday

2014-04-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

"The man that hath no music in himself,

Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,

Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils;

The motions of his spirit are dull as night

And his affections dark as Erebus:

Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music."

(The Merchant of Venice, 5.1.91-7)

Through William Shakespeare's works classical music composers from Berlioz to Verdi have found a world of imagination and insight to the human condition, which have inspired great works of opera and orchestral works.

One such work that vexes and challenges the clarinet player is the excerpt in the Scherzo of Mendelssohn's A Midsummer's Night Dream. Listen here to the Scherzo conducted by Leopold Stokowski.

There are several instructional videos to help students with the excerpt including clarinetists: David Thomas, Wenzel Fuchs, and Sean Osborn.

To explore the classical music inspired by Shakespeare's plays Spotify has a comprehensive playlist.

Ricardo Morales Performs Weber Clarinet Concerto No. 1

2014-03-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

From Thursday, April 3rd through Saturday, April 5th, the Philadelphia Orchestra will present a program of German masterpieces conducted by Christoph von Dohnányi. The concert will include Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, Brahms's Haydn Variations and of most significance to clarinetists, Ricardo Morales will be the soloist performing Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1.

Visit here for a preview of the concerto.

Celebrating 90 Years of Rhapsody in Blue

2014-02-12T19:26:00.001-08:00

Today marks the 90th Anniversary of the premiere of Gershwin's masterpiece that we as clarinetists and musicians know so well: Rhapsody in Blue. The piece had its first performance on February 12, 1924 at Aeolian Hall in New York City. It was originally commissioned by bandleader Paul Whiteman for jazz band and piano. His band gave the first performance with Gershwin at the piano. The orchestral arrangement that most of us have come to know was published 18 years later in 1942.

But, as we all know, what makes this piece special for clarinetists is the well-known glissando and solo at the very beginning. Rhapsody in Blue has been dazzling audiences for 90 years so far and it will continue to do so for many, many more!

As a tribute, here is a video of the performance by the New York Philharmonic. Stanley Drucker plays the clarinet and Leonard Bernstein doubles as conductor and pianist.

New Music for the Clarinet: Perry Goldstein's Clarinet Quintet

2014-01-28T06:37:00.002-08:00

In the effort to make note of (pun intended!) wonderful new music composed for the clarinet, Perry Goldstein's Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet is a fantastic way to start off the year. It was premiered in New York City this past October (2013), by Alan R. Kay with the New York Chamber Musicians. His program notes sited below are an excellent description of the musical adventure this piece takes listener on:

Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet (2006) features three movements of wildly different character, all influenced by quite different kinds of music. The first movement, “Bright and exuberant,” is simultaneously heroic and breezy. Undulating near-minimalist figures in the strings accompany overarching melodies played by the clarinet. The B section within this A-B-A’ form is more languid, while the outer A sections contain music that is buoyant and striving.

I think of the tune at the center of movement 2 (“Heartfelt and singing”) as an urban spiritual. Though simple, it is first presented in a bluesy if somewhat chromatically tortured chorale-like setting. Four variations follow. The first preserves the pace of the clarinet melody in a setting of pizzicato strings and short lamenting outbursts. The second variation poses quintuplet perpetual-motion arabesques against the melody while the cello plays with and against the quintuplets in rhythmic syncopation. The third variation spins an uptempo jazz waltz out of the material while the fourth sets the tune lamentingly in surprising harmonies in the strings’ upper registers. A cadenza for the clarinet brings the movement to a somber close.

The third movement is something of a middle-eastern dance, made rhythmically jagged by the everchanging meters. Marked “Dancing, yet driving,” this movement emulates the A-B-A’ shape of the first. However, the B section and the coda recapitulate the tune of the first movement, first in a melancholy mood and then in exuberant conclusion.

The original version of the quintet is for alto saxophone and string quartet. Tonight is the premiere of this version, prepared for and dedicated to Alan Kay and Joanna Kaczorowska. One couldn’t ask for better advocates!

—Perry Goldstein

Perry Goldstein (born 1952 in New York City, New York) studied at the University of Illinois, UCLA, and Columbia University, from which he received a doctorate in music composition in 1986. His principal composition teachers were Herbert Brün, Chou Wen-Chung, Mario Davidovsky, Ben Johnston, and Paul Zonn.

A composer of vivid, high-intensity music, Goldstein’s various works have been called “an I-dare-you-contraption” (Total Absorption by Fanfare Magazine), “kinetic, percussive [and] pummeling” (Of Points Fixed and Fluid by The New York Times), “a raw-boned tour-de-force” (Blow! by the Buffalo News), and demonstrating “consummate structural artistry” (Motherless Child Variations by Music Vision CD Spotlight).

He has written works for such notable performers as Juilliard Quartet cellist Joel Krosnick and pianist Gilbert Kalish, pianist Eliza Garth, the Aurelia, Prism, and Capitol Saxophone Quartets, bass clarinetist Michael Lowenstern, saxophonists Cory Barnfield, Arno Bornkamp, Joseph Lulloff, and Kenneth Tse, the Escher String Quartet, and the United States Military Academy Band. His works appear on 16 compact discs, on Bridge, Challenge, Crystal, Innova, New Dynamic, New World, United States Military, and Vanguard records.

Since 1992, he has been a member of the music faculty of the Stony Brook where he was the inaugural Director of the College of Arts, Culture, and Humanities and serves as Chairman of the Department of Music. He teaches music theory, analysis, musicianship, and composition.

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You can listen to the entire piece here.

In Memoriam: Maestro Claudio Abbado

2014-01-20T07:12:00.001-08:00

This morning, January 20th, 2014, legendary Italian conductor Claudio Abbado past away at age 80 at his home in Bologna. He ailed from failing health and died "peacefully, surrounded by his family" at 8:30, according to his relatives. Abbado will be remembered for the numerous tenures he had with the most prestigious orchestras in the world, including La Scala, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic, among others. Of course, his remarkable musicianship and beautiful interpretation of the music will leave an eternally lasting impression on the world of classical music. Rest in Peace.

Alan R. Kay Performs on WSKG Television Broadcast

2014-01-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

Alan R. Kay, principal clarinetist of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Riverside Symphony Orchestra just recently joined cellist David Heiss, member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and principal cellist of the New York Pops Orchestra, and pianist Warren Jones, who was in 2010 named the collaborative pianist of the year by Musical America, in a WSKG Public Media television broadcast as part of their "Expressions Classical Series." It originally aired in October of 2013 on the Binghamton PBS station in front of a live studio audience. Now it is available to watch in-full on YouTube.

The hour-long program included solo and chamber works including all three musicians. Mr. Kay performed in three pieces on the program including a wonderful performance of Luigi Bassi's Rigoletto Fantasy, in addition to the Beethoven Clarinet Trio and a beautiful arrangement for clarinet, cello, and piano of "Bevo al tuo sorriso" from Puccini's La Rondine.

You can view the video below. If you have an opportunity, take some time to watch the entire program if you like. Otherwise, Mr. Kays performances in the video are at the following time stamps:

Rigoletto Fantasy at 14:45

Beethoven Trio at 42:20

La Rondine at 49:35