Klarinet Archive - Posting 000264.txt from 1994/04

From: Josias Associates <josassoc@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Birthday music
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 17:57:33 -0400

Dear Mr. Andreason,

Four years ago on the occasion of a surprise birthday party my
wife gave for me, four of my clarinet-playing friends commissioned the
composition of a piece of music, which was based on the tune,
"Happy Birthday to You," and which was scored for five clarinets,
namely: Eb soprano, Bb, A, Eb alto, and Bb bass clarinets. The piece,
which is entitled, "Variations on an American Theme," was composed by
Raymond D. Burkhart and has the witty qualities you seek plus a few
unexpected surprises. For the record, the friends who commissioned the work
were (alphabetically) Don Blasick, Ed Donohue, Don Gross, and Trudi Wreede.

I must tell you that the premiere of this composition was performed
under nerve-wracking conditions. The plan was to announce and play the
quintet at the end of the surprise party. However, when the fifth player
didn't show up, somebody handed me an Eb clarinet (which was thoughtfully
brought as a contingency -- or so I was told) and I got dragged as an
unwitting participant into the group, which was warming up. Sight reading
the part after having consumed a number of cocktails well beyond my modest
capacity ensured that my performance that night would not be the definitive
one.

But I did play it again on another occasion, and I am pleased to
tell you that it is a first-rate, entertaining piece of music. The
music can be obtained from the composer at the following location:

Mr. Raymond D. Burkhart
803 Sinaloa
Pasadena, California 91104
(818) 797-5111.

If you wish to obtain the music but can't get it soon enough from
Burkhart (he's leaving on an extended tour in a few days) please let me
know directly on my Internet address.

Best of luck,

Conrad (Connie) Josias