Klarinet Archive - Posting 000287.txt from 1995/02

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Brahms/Berio work
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 1995 13:28:25 -0500

> Recent postings regarding the Berio transcription of the Brahms f
>minor sonata gave rise to the question of a recording. Has this been
>recorded? If so, can anyone give specifics re label/performer?
> Thanks.
> Jim Sclater
>James Sclater inet: sclater@-----.edu
>Mississippi College (601)925-3445
>Clinton, MS 39058

I spoke with Luciano Berio several times last year while he was in the area
doing the Norton lectures at Harvard. (By the way, did everyone know that
Mr. Berio himself studied the clarinet for many years?! He told me he
studied with Giampieri, and he @-----.)

If I am recalling one of our conversations correctly, I believe he told me
that Sabine Meyer recorded it with the London Philharmonic? He loves her
playing, FYI. Does someone have more detailed information on this?

I also heard an interesting story about this piece, and I am not sure of
its veracity, so I would welcome any input or elaboration. I heard that
Berio was commissioned to write a major new work for the clarinet (I guess
by Michelle Zukofsky, if Connie is right). He evidently, procrastinated,
or was too overloaded, or something, and ended up throwing together the
Brahms orchestration at the last minute in order to fulfill the commission.
Is this true?

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Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net