Klarinet Archive - Posting 000057.txt from 1995/10

From: "Wilcox, John R (MN12)" <John.R.Wilcox@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Clarinet, string quartet and piano pieces
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 1995 14:54:33 -0400

to: KLARINET%vccscent.bitnet@-----.edu

Subject: RE: Achron Kindersuite, Op. 57

I have played the Achron "Kindersuite" and would describe it as similar in
many ways to the Prokofieff "Overature on Hebrew Themes," op. 34 (or
whatever we decide is the proper English translation of the title). Of
course, there are many other works, other than the three Dan Leeson
mentioned, for this exact combination of instruments (clarinet, piano, and
string quartet), including: N. Berezowsky "Theme et Var. Fantastiques," op.
7, the Roy Harris "Concerto," the Juan Orrego-Salas "Sextet," the Felix
Petyrek "Sextett," the Karl Schiske "Sextett," the Michel Stillman "Fantasy
on a Chassidish Theme," and the Jacob Weinberg (arr. Bellison) "Yemenite
Rhapsody from the Opera Hechalriz." And then there are many works for
combinations of instruments similar to the exact group mentioned, notably
the Hans Pfitzner "Sextet," op. 55, for clarinet, violin, viola, cello,
bass, and piano. S. Bellison seemed to have a special interest in the
clarinet, string quartet, and piano combination, and I believe there are
some more of his arrangements and commissions for this size ensemble in his
archives in Israel. I have more information if anyone is interested.

John Wilcox
Edina, Minnesota

----------
From: leeson@-----.EDU
To: KLARINET@-----.BITNET
Subject: Question about a work
Date: Wednesday, October 04, 1995 12:33AM

In going through my music in preparation to donating a great deal of
it to the Clarinet library, I came across a work I had forgotten I
bought at least 25 or more years ago. And I'm wondering if anyone
knows anything about the piece.

It is Joseph Achron's "Kindersuite" for clarinet, piano, and string
quartet, just like the Prokofiev Overture on Yiddish Themes. And,
the parallel does not stop there. The various movements are titled
in English, German, and Hebrew. And each appears to be based on
a child's song. This was a published edition from Universal done
in the 1920s. I know nothing of it but am curious because of the
form and instrumentation. In one movement, the cellist is called
on to play triangle. There are about 10 short-medium length movements.

Anyone know anything about this work??? Does anyone know anything
about Joseph Achron?

This work, the Prokofiev, and the Copland Sextet are all the
identical instrumentation and I can't think of another work in
this same instrumentation (though there probably are).

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
====================================