Eli Eban Recital and with Kevin Schempf

29 March 2008

Bowling Green State University  Clarinet Conference, Kevin Schempf, Director

Bowling Green, Ohio USA

            A very successful Saturday Clarinet Conference convened at this major Music Department at Bowling Green State University under Professor Kevin Schempf, a relative unknown on the Clarinet scene.   Several first rate players and Professors as listed on the programs gave fine recitals and and performed new repertoire with one world premiere performed by Dr Kimberly Cole Fuegano from East Michigan University.  Above galleries showcase all the programs and a major 2 hour Master Class with renowned soloist Eli Eban, Professor at Indiana University.  CEric Satterlie, Director of Meridian Winds, displayed instruments and related items with repair assistance for participants.  Over 50 came from all over the Ohio region. A Clarinet Choir reading took place to read over literature to benefit those participating.   

           The finale recital with Dr Eban was a major event with refined performance. Of interest he performs on Luis Rossi Clarinets and the sound aspects were well pronounced.  Director Schempf joined in performance of a Mendellsohn Concertpiece.  The Conference was worth every dollar spent, and it was free.

         Eli Eban was born in New York and received his early musical training in Israel, studying the clarinet with Richard Lesser and Yona Ettlinger. After serving as solo clarinetist of the Israeli Defense Forces Band, he was accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with Anthony Gigliotti. Immediately upon graduation, he was appointed principal clarinetist of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra under Lukas Foss, and shortly thereafter he joined the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at the invitation of Maestro Zubin Mehta. During his 13 seasons with the Israel Philharmonic, he performed and recorded all the major orchestral repertoire, working with pre-eminent international conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Charles Dutoit, Christoph Eschenbach, James Levine, Kurt Masur, Sir Simon Rattle, Leonard Slatkin, Sir Georg Solti and Klaus Tennstedt. He has appeared as a soloist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on many occasions and also performed concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra at the Barbican Center, the City of London Sinfonia at Royal Festival Hall, the Salzburg Mozarteum Camerata, the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, the Israel Camerata Jerusalem, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and the Louisville Orchestra.

Eban tours extensively as a chamber musician, collaborating with world-renowned artists and ensembles. He has appeared as a guest artist with the Alexander, Audubon, Orion, St. Petersburg, Tel Aviv and Ying quartets. He was a frequent participant of the famed Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont. While at Marlboro, he was invited by legendary Hungarian violinist Sandor Vegh to perform at the Prussia Cove festival in England, drawing critical acclaim from the London Guardian for his “high-powered, electrifying performances.” His subsequent recordings for Meridian Records, London, were cited by the Penguin Guide To CDs as being “full of life and highly sensitive.” He has also recorded for the Saphir, Crystal and Naxos labels. Eban was a member of Myriad (a chamber ensemble formed by members of the Cleveland Orchestra) for seven years, and has often traveled to Eastern Europe to perform and teach as a visiting artist of the European Mozart Foundation.

Eban served as visiting professor of clarinet at the Eastman School of Music before joining the faculty of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 1990. In 2007, he was named a Rudy Professor by the Indiana University Board of Trustees. This distinguished ranks professorship is named after James H. Rudy, an Indiana University graduate who dedicated his estate to the recognition and retention of outstanding faculty.

Eban divides his time between teaching at Indiana University, performing with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and touring as a soloist and chamber musician. He spends his summers performing and teaching at the Sarasota Music Festival and playing principal clarinet in the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. Recent engagements include a world tour as acting principal clarinetist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Lorin Maazel, and critically acclaimed performances at London’s Wigmore Hall.

Master Class sessions with Guest Clinician Nathan Williams and Director Dr Diane Barger with Dr Williams

28 March 2008

12th Midwest ClariFest - University of Nebraska, Dr Diane Barger, Director

Lincoln, Nebraska USA

 A review by Renee Pflughaupt

             The 12^th annual Midwest ClariFest, hosted by Diane Barger (Professor of Clarinet), took place on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus on Friday, March 28, 2008. Nathan Williams, critically acclaimed clarinet soloist and Instructor of Clarinet at the Interlochen Arts Academy, served as the guest artist and clinician. More than 60 participants were involved in the event including high school and college students along with teachers and guests.

             The day began with a host recital performed by Dr. Barger, opening with Louis Cahuzac’s Pastorale Cévenole and closing with Jack Delano’s aggressive Sonata en La Menor. Of particular interest, however, was Mozart’s Adagio movement from Concerto for Clarinet, KV 622. Christopher Marks, Assistant Professor of Organ at UNL, arranged and performed the accompaniment for organ, treating the audience to a fresh perspective on this well-known solo.

             Nathan Williams led two master classes with performers ranging from 8^th grade students to seniors in college. Besides emphasizing the fundamentals of embouchure, posture, and reed care, other topics included dancing to internalize rhythm, playing between the notes and efficient practice habits. Dr. Williams even taught a student how to perform glissando on the clarinet – in only 2 minutes.

             While working with 10^th grade clarinetist Joe Weber on the Weber Concerto No. 1, Dr. Williams stressed the importance of knowing how the music sounds before playing a single note. This is why listening to music recordings is so crucial to musicians – it helps us answer the question “What exactly is musical?” as stated by Dr. Williams. This also teaches performers to listen to and improve their own sound. Overall, Dr. Williams held the audience’s attention with witty anecdotes and consistent interaction.

            A recital featuring the New Horizons clarinet quartet, a performing group from the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, immediately followed the final master class. The recital repertoire ranged from Gershwin’s Three Preludes to Sousa’s infamous King Cotton. The Clarinet Polka, arranged by Spaniola, was definitely a crowd favorite. With boundless energy and flawless accuracy, New Horizons had the entire audience clapping to the beat before the recital’s close.

            Additional ClariFest activities included a clarinet choir reading session conducted by UNL graduate student Kristi Michael and an afternoon potpourri recital. UNL students, alumni, and other guests provided entertainment while performing works from Copland, Brahms, Ròsza, Weber, Osborne, Riseling, Király, Mozart, Bassett, and Kókai.

            The day ended with a stunning and energetic concert performed by Nathan Williams.  As evident in his performance of Bucolique by Eugène Bozza, and even more so in For Clarinet by Marius Constant, Dr. William possesses a technical finesse surpassed only by his intuition for musical concept and shape. Dr. Williams’ performance of Brahms’ Sonata in E-flat Major, especially, revealed this intuition and exceptional control of expression. This intensity rose to a whole new level as he performed Debussy’s Première Rhapsody  by memory. In Kenji Bunch’s Cookbook, a humorous side of Dr. Williams arose as he treated the audience to images of food, the most vivid being a dazzling reproduction of a Flamenco Band in a dining club. With a spirited melody and lively “piano” percussion, La ultima noche en la casa del Flamenco is certainly a piece to be remembered. Concluding the concert was Mendelssohn’s Concert Piece No. 1 in F minor with Dr. Barger and Dr. Williams performing an inspiring, if not humorous, duet. Overall, Dr. Williams’ infinite attention to detail and technical mastery of the clarinet made this performance a dazzling display of both his own talents and the diverse range of music the clarinet has to offer.

            Midwest ClariFest will be held again next year on Friday, March 27, 2009, with guest artist Dr. John Masserini, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Northern Arizona University. For further information, please contact Diane Barger at <dbarger1@unl.edu>.

Naomi Drucher and Blanche Abram, Directors	American Chamber Ensemble	Concert Program	Program Page 2	Stanley Drucker and Mike Getzin

22 March 2008

American Chamber Ensemble performing 10th Anniversary Concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall  commemorating Music of Long Island Composers premiered and performed during this period. Naomi Drucker and Blanche Abrams, Directors

         The 10th Anniversary concert of this elite ensemble, known for its performance of American music, with an emphasis on Long Island, New York composers, culminated their 10 years with performances of past performed premieres and notable literature.  The sold out Weill Recital Hall had an inspired audience who were treated to music of high difficulty, masterly performed by all these members.  Program is posted above in the galleries.  Of interest, Stanley Drucker, Solo Clarinetist in the New York Philharmonic, was a guest performer in performance of Virgil Thompson's Quartet for 4 Clarinets.  Directors Naomi Drucker and Blanch Abram actively participated.

Weill Firth Notice	Firth, Mike Getzin and Buddy DeFranco		Firth and DeFranco	Firth Solo with combo

21 March 2008

'Goodman and Beyond' Jazz Concert Spectacular with Australian Jazz Clarinet Great Andy Firth with Guest Great Buddy DeFranco

New York City USA

          A landmark Jazz performance took place with previously unknown Australian Clarinetist Andy Firth, who in a cheerfully informal way shock and awed the audience with virtuosity found in players like Eddie Daniels.  Similar in virtuosity although different in style, his letup never quit during this concert and as Buddy DeFranco said later on, Firth can do impossible things.  Program posted above on the gallery.  The program was dedicated to Benny Goodman as the title states, with tributes to Artie Shaw, Eddie Daniels, and especially to guest appearing Buddy DeFranco, who performed the 2nd half and enthralling the audience.  This collaboration here is nothing less than historic.  This concert was one not to be missed given that the artists were world Class, especially DeFranco, who was awarded a National Endowment Fellowship in 2006.  Mr Firth is to be followed for future appearances in the US; he will be performing at Buddy DeFranco's Jazz Festival 26 April at the University of Montana, the 2nd appeance since last year.

Whitman lesson	Whitman Bass Clarinet Lesson	Dr John Scott with Bassett Horn	Clarinet Choir Participants

8 March 2008

Texas A & M University Clarinet Day - 8 March 2008, Dr Mary Druhan, Director

Commerce, Texas USA

          The Second Annual Northeast Texas Clarinet Day was held on March 8,
2008 on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce.  Over 50 people
were in attendance throughout the day for events with Gray Whitman,
guest artist sponsored by Buffet Crampon USA and with Dr, Mary
Druhan, founder and director of the event.
 
Two recitals included performances by Gary Whitman of Texas Christian
University, Dr. John Scott of the University of North Texas, Sharon
Deuby of East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Mary Druhan of
TAMU-Commerce, Jody Webb of NE Texas, and Victor Drescher of south
Louisiana.  Members of the Duncanville clarinet choir performed as
well as the Graduate Clarinet Quartet of TAMU-C and the TAMU-C Clarinet
Choir.
 
Classes were held in the afternoon by Jennifer Mendez, Gustavo Diaz,
Dr. Druhan, Jody Webb, Jeff Smith, and Sharon Deuby.  We would like
to thank Muncy Winds for providing door prizes, Buffet-Crampon for
sponsoring our guest artist, the Music Department at TAMU-C for
sponsoring our pianist, Mrs. Laura Maxwell, and the TAMU-Commerce
clarinet studio for holding the event.
 

	Richard MacDowell	Barger, MacDowell, Mike Getzin, Dr Gainey	Alabama Clarinet Sextet	Group Choirs

 

                                    Clarinet Choir in concert and rehearsal with Dr Gainey

2 March 2008

University of Alabama (UAB) Department of Music Presents the 6th Annual UAB Clarinet Retreat,  Dr Denise Gainey, Director

Birmingham, Alabama USA

          The last weekend celebrating the 6th Annual event here at the University of Alabama under Dr Denise Gainey, collaborated a fine array of Classes, Clarinet Ensemble concert preparation with two Clarinet Choirs, conducted by Dr Gainey and Johnetta Horton who conducted a beginner group of young players.   Guest artists included from the University of Texas at Austin Dr Richard MacDowell, a student and advocate of the work of Robert Marcellus, former Solo Clarinetist in the Cleveland Orchestra and faculty at Northwestern University.   Dr Diane Barger from the University of Nebraska also participated as a guest artist in the Alabama Clarinet Sextet which performed an morning concert the first day. The two days included master classes with MacDowell, who gave a comprehensive presentation regarding Mr Marcellus, covering his career, tonal orchestral concepts, his teaching influences based on his successful tenure in Cleveland, with such renowned influences as George Szell, Daniel Bonade, Ralph MaClean of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski, and many others. His tenure at Northwestern was highlighted as a teacher, and conductor along with his positions at Interlochen, where he was able to impart his knowledge and study with scores and parts used by the Cleveland Orchestra with the editings and Szell's markings in teaching orchestral playing. As well known, Marcellus unfortunately had to leave the Cleveland due to severe medical reasons going blind from diabetes.  The MacDowell recital and Master Classes held with several students manifested his having been influenced by his beloved mentor Mr Marcellus. 

                                                     MacDowell Master Class with students

                                          Denise Gainey and Richard MacDowell in Recital

 

          The Saturday evening recital featured Dr Gainey and MacDowell- he performed the Brahms 1st Sonata and Dan Welcher's Dante Dances.  Dr Gainey performed the Widor Introduction and Rondo, and the Scott McAllister X  (1996). Performances were inspiring for the students and other participants. 

           LeBlanc provided opportunity for all to try and see  Clarinets, Bells, Barrels, and Morales Mouthpieces.  Anyone within a 200+ radius of Birmingham should make a point annually to pilgimage for this event as it is too important to miss. 

 

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