October 2018 Hot News

Rutgers University Single Reed Day - VIP Maureen Hurd-Hause, Director - with Guest Artist Bence Szepesi

Truman State University hosted the inaugural American Single Reed Summit on October 25-28, 2018 in Kirksville, Missouri. There were masterclasses, performances, lectures, a Young Artist Saxophone Competition, and a variety of of educational workshops for the participants. Featured clarinetists included Radovan Cavallin (ESP/CRO), Dominique Vidal (FR), and Sarah Watts (UK) and saxophonists Claude Delangle (FR), Preston Duncan (USA), James Bunte (USA), and Joshua Quinlan (USA), who each gave performances and masterclasses.

The Opening Gala concert on October 25th began with a United States premiere of António Fraioli’s Concerto Jazz Style with Portuguese clarientist António Saiote performing as soloist with the Truman Clarinet Choir, which was then followed by Saiote and Cavallin performing Amilcare Ponchielli’s Il convegno accompanied by the same ensemble. Xin Gao performed Chen Gang’s Sunshine on Taxorgan, which was followed by Boja Kragulj’s performance of an arrangement of George Gershwin’s Preludes, both performances were accompanied by Yunjung Um. The concert continued with the Assembly Quartet comprised of Jeff Heisler (soprano), Ian Jeffress (alto), Matthew Younglove (tenor), and Adam Estes (bari) with special guest Adam Groh (percussion) performing Bill Ryan’s Original Blend. Truman professors Xin Gao (saxophone) and Jesse Krebs (clarinet) performed the world premiere of Victor Marquez’s Forms of Separation that involved electronics, which was then followed by Preston Duncan performing Felipe Perez Santiago’s Exoesqueleto with the Truman Saxophone Ensemble. The program concluded with a small jazz combo including saxophonists Dr. Josh Quinlan, Dr. Damani Phillips, and Professor Tim AuBuchon.

On October 26th, Preston Duncan performed a recital featuring works by Gotkovsky, Piazzolla, Decruck, Larsen, Grieg, and Iturralde with Casey Rafn at piano. Other highlights of the day included performances by:

· Duo Clarguitar comprised of Slovenian clarinetist, Slavko Kovacic and guitarist, Žarko Ignjatović

· Laura Armstrong’s “Never Have a Bad Reed Again: How to Make and Adjust Your Own Clarinet or Saxophone Reeds”,

· Jeremy Wohletz’s “East Meets West: Transcribing Balinese Gamelan for Clarinet Choir”,

· Nancy Williams’s “Woodwind Improvisatory Techniques of the Classical Era”

Quinlan performed a featured recital comprised of original works alongside musicians from the Kansas City area.

There were several world premiere performances by the Room 9 Duo, Betty Bley, UTRGV Faculty Wind Trio, and Osiris Molina with the Capstone Quartet. The evening concert featured international soloists, Claude Delangle and Radovan Cavallin, performing a shared recital. They were accompanied by pianists Odile Delangle and Yujung Um. The program alternated between Cavallin and Delangle performing works by French and Croatian composers and concluded with arrangements of works by Mendelssohn and Shostakovich for clarinet, saxophone, and piano. When asked about the organization of the evening concerts, Neal Postma, President of ASRS, stated, “We wanted to create a single event for both saxophonist and clarinetists. Featuring a top-tier clarinetist and saxophonist on the same concert promotes this idea of collaboration between the single reed instruments.”

Recitals and lectures continued on October 27th. Several highlights included:

· Tod Kersetter’s recital lecture on Eric Dolphy’s “God Bless the Child”

· Jason Alder’s “Extended Techniques for Contrabass Clarinet: Cross-Compatability Discovery Through Collaborative Process”

· Joshua Gardner’s “Tongue Confessions: Real-time Ultrasound Imaging of the Clarinetist’s Tongue”

Saiote provided a brilliant performance of Improviso as a tribute to Portuguese composer, Joly Braga Santos. There was also a bass clarinet choir tribute concert for Harry Sparnaay that included Watts’s arrangements of the first movement of Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5 and Concert - Fantasia on Scottish Melodies led by Watts. The bass clarinet choir concert featured participants from the event. Internationally known composer, Gregory Wanamaker, who gave a lecture about his music stated:

“The American Single Reed Summit presents a wonderful balance between traditional repertoire and groundbreaking new works for single reed instruments by several composers. In addition to their value to performers, conferences like this one provide opportunities for composers to share their music and to develop further collaborations with some of the finest performers in the United States and around the world. It was wonderful to hear terrific performances of my music by some of the finest clarinetists and saxophonists, but the highlight for me was the possibility to talk about my music with live examples: an opportunity that doesn’t easily present itself at other conferences.”

French clarinetist, Dominique Vidal performed a program featuring works by Messager, Rieunier, Piazzola, Poulenc, and Iturralde. The evening concert featured a shared recital between Bunte and Watts. Bunte performed a virtuosic program that included works by Decruck, Noda, Poulenc, and Nagao. Sarah performed a program with bass clarinet and electronics that included work composed by Yeats and Perrin along with an original work by the performer.

ASRS created a series of “Education Initiative Workshops” for all participants. Postma stated, “pedagogical workshops are essential in these conferences to not only attract young musicians, but provide a platform for even the most seasoned teacher to learn something new.” Dr. Sanders presented a workshop on “Increasing Efficiency in Practice: Daily Routines and Fundamentals,” Gao on “Developing Your Saxophone Tone and Vibrato,” and Krebs on “Clarinet Pedagogy Using Analogies and Similes.”

Participants under the age twenty from around the world competed in the Young Artists Competition. The semi-final round consisted of fourteen applicants, which took place on October 26. The participants performed Etude 13 from the Ferling Studies and the first movement from Sonata by Lawson Lunde. In the final round participants gave performances of the first and second movement of Paul Creston’s Sonata. The competition was adjudicated by panels headed by Duncan (semi-final) and Delangle (final). The judging panels consisted of Dr. Emily Jane Loboda, Dr. Steve Carmichael, Mr. Dylan Ward, Dr. Scotty Phillips, Dr. Adam Briggs, and Dr. Neal Postma. The first prize winner will have a featured recital at the next event in 2020. The prizes for the top three winners were provided by Barkley Brazil Mouthpieces, D’Addario Woodwinds, Legere Reeds, and Silverstein Works. The winners of the Young Artist Competition were:

Sponsors and exhibitors included Barkley Brazil Mouthpieces, Breathtaking, Brian Corbin Products, Buffet Crampon, Conn-Selmer, D’Addario Woodwinds, JodyJazz Clarinet and Saxophone Mouthpieces, Legere Reeds, Lisa’s Clarinet Shop, Lomax Classic, Moe-Bleichner Music Distribution, Lohff & Pfeiffer, ReedGeek, Rovner Products, Royal Musical Collection, SaxQuest, Silverstein Works, Vandoren, Wiseman Cases, and Yamaha.

ASRS was established by board members Dr. Neal Postma, Ms. Kristine Dizon, Dr. Larkin Sanders, Dr. Stacy Christofakis, Dr. Sara Eastwood, Dr. Scotty Phillips, and Mr. Kevin Vorabout in 2017. Dr. Jesse Krebs (clarinet), Dr. Xin Gao (saxophone), Dr. Randall Smith (professor emeritus), and student volunteers from Truman State University helped facilitate the event. The goal of the ASRS “is to help foster deeper connections between clarinetists and saxophonists on all levels while creating meaningful musical experiences.” The event was a huge success and participants left inspired and excited for the next Summit in 2020.

Fredonia Clarinet Ensemble with Senior VIP Richard Nunemaker performing the Krommer Concerto for 2 Clarinets arranged for this ensemble with Professor Andrew Seigel

Mercadante International Clarinet Competition - VIP Antonio Tinelli, Director

Michigan State University Clarinet Extravaganza - VIP Guy Yehuda, Director with Senior VIP Franklin Cohen

VIP Wenzel Fuchs performs Two Brahms Chamber Concerts at Paris Theatro Champs-Elysees

VIP Paval Vinnitsky - Acclaimed Soloist and member of the New York Philharmonic, performs Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Stamford (Connecticut) Symphony -

VIP Philippe Cuper (Solo Clarinetist in the Paris Opera Orchestra and Renowned International Soloist - Recital and Master Class at the Buffet Crampon New York Showroom

Senior VIP Richard Nunemaker (BS 64) Performs World Premiere of Arthur Gottschalk 'Hacksaw' for Bass Clarinet and Wind Ensemble with the Fredonia Wind Ensemble - Paula Holcomb, Conductor

A special program was performed with fellow alumnus Dick Nunemaker from my student days there in 1963, marking 55 years having started there and graduating in 68. I was the 1st to play in that Wind Ensemble in the freshman year and play for another 3 years, graduating in 68, 50 years ago. Dick contnued and played for 40 years in the Houston Symphony, a great pro history. Fredonia is a soft spot in our hearts for the great school it has evolved into, and with a Tuition Free factor should be very attractive for NY State resident students whose parents earn less than $120,000 annually. A great alternative to $30,000 a year tuition for college elsewhere. As seen in the galleries, note the high standard facilities which are world class. Mike Getzin - Below is a summary by Senior VIP Nunemaker:

Just finished up a great week at SUNY Fredonia premiering Arthur Gottschalk's Hacksaw for solo bass clarinet and concert band with the SUNY Fredonia Wind Ensemble, Paula Holcomb, conductor. The band did a great job. Holcomb was the great Maestro needed and Gottschalk was the hero. It was a thrill for me after 54 years to be back on campus performing with the band. To help explain the title here are the composer's notes.

"Hacksaw was commissioned by woodwind virtuoso and bass clarinet specialist Richard Nunemaker, and written for the State University of New York at Fredonia Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Paula Holcomb. When asked about the title Mr. Nunemaker was reminded of the fact that although one can tune a bass clarinet but not a hacksaw, both are equally effective at ripping through a chain link fence when placed in the hands of highly skilled and experienced professionals.

On a more technical note, perhaps, Hacksaw is a work in one movement, designed to showcase the rich variety of colors and exceedingly wide range of the modern bass clarinet. To accomplish this, it enlists the aid of not one, but two stellar timpanists, wielding three drums each, one at each end of the stage, frame-working the soloist. It also requires outstanding musical forces to fill all this out, thus providing a pyrotechnic display of sonic bravado".

Go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlBJk7lOnow&feature=youtu.be

for a video of the concert.

The Thailand International Clarinet Academy took place in Bangkok, Thailand from October 1-6, 2018 at the College of Music, Bandsomdej Chaopraya Rajabhat University. This project was managed by Chaiphat Tripipitsiriwat. There were over 40 participants from Thailand, China, Singapore, and Brazil. Masterclasses were taught by Eddy Vanoosthuyse (Belgium), Philippe Cuper (France), Kristine Dizon (United States), Marco António Mazzini (Peru), Sun Zhen (China), Xiao Luo (China), Christhatai Paksamai (Thailand), Akkarapon Dejwacharanon (Thailand) and Cassandra Fox-Percival (United States). A lecture and masterclass about Silverstein ligatures was given by Dizon.

Workshops included a repair course with Michel Klein (France), how to make reeds by Dejwacharanon, and an extended techinique course by Mazzini. Piano accompanists included Usa Napawan (Thailand), Pimlapa Suklalordcheep (Thailand), and Wang Jiaxin (China). In addition, there were featured recitals by students and the clarinet faculty, including an international artist concert that featured Cuper, Dizon, Luo, Mazzini, and Zhen, a concert held at the Belgium Embassy that featured Vanoosthuyse performing the Mozart Quintet for the Belgium ambassador of Thailand and clarinet choir concert. The final concert featured Mazzini conducting the clarinet choir featuring South American music with soloist, Christhatai Paksamai performed Buys’ Adagio e Tarantella for the Peruvian Ambassador of Thailand.

The Thailand International Clarinet Academy was sponsored by the Embassy of Belgium in Thailand, Buffet Crampon, Intermusic, Yongseng, Music Elements, Silverstein, Cecilia Music, Melody Solutions, F. Artur Uebel, D’addario, Threera Music, Vandoren, PUCP University, Sound and Art, Bangkok Symphony Music School, 101 Piano and String and Bid Cola.

1st October 2018 Cortot Hall in Paris took place the Yamaha concert dedicated to clarinets. A Well-defined and well-supplied program with beautiful artists. And between each piece of Gabriel yared's little duets interpreted by Jérôme Voisin and Manuel Metzger.

- Prokofiev: opening on Jewish themes (Jerome neighbor, CL)
- Weber: Quintet, 3 Grinding (Robert Bianciotto, CL)
- Carter: CANONIC SUITE FOR 4 Clare. (neighbor, Metzger, bianciotto, mussotte)
- Rezsö Kokai : Quartettino (Thierry Mussotte)
- Baermann: Adagio And 3th mvt of the quintet. (Claude Faucomprez, CL)
- Fauré: Trio op. 120 (Manual Metzger, CL)
- (not scheduled for the program, violinist d. Harutyunyan and pianist n. Mallarte played the bohemian of aznavour...)
- Istvan Kohan: Konzertstück at the feidman for 2 Clare. And Piano (R. Bianciotto and th. Mussotte). Edited in Japan.