Klarinet Archive - Posting 000266.txt from 1995/12

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Clarinet, Soprano and Piano Music
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 1995 23:53:18 -0500

Jason,
I also had the good fortune to play this piece. IT IS A
KNOCKOUT!!!!! I *strongly* urge anyone with gobs of technique and a
top-notch mezzo (who can count!) to contact Zaimont (at the U. of
Minnesota) and do this work. On a scale of ten it is a 20. It is also a
great audience piece. I played it for a group which included
elderhostelers and they really liked it.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Sun, 10 Dec 1995, Jason Gresl wrote:

> Hi to all. This is my first visit to the Klarinet world and was excited to
> see info on
> clar., soprano and piano music. There is an addition to the growing list
> that I would like to contribute. Three years ago, I had the opportunity to
> play a trio for MEZZo-soprano, clarinet and piano by Judith Layng Zaimont
> entitled "From the Great
> Land". I would it to be a marvelously moving work. The text is based on an
> Eskimo tradition in which once you were too old to help contribute to the
> "tribe" your family would take you to a remote iceflow, have a ceremony of
> some sort, give you your last meal and then say goodbye.(The details are
> hazy, please forgive). Anyway, the soprano sings as if she were the old lady
> waiting her fate. The piece, broken into several movements(and lasting over
> a half an hour) follows her final hours as she talks of her feelings, her
> childhood and has an occasional hallucination.
> Both the clarinet player and the pianist, at one time or another, also
> play a drum which adds yet another flavor to the music. I remember the piece
> being quite challenging at the time and full of character. Ms. Zaimont was
> present for the dress rehearsal and concert and it was wonderful to get the
> inside scoop as we played.
> SO if you are looking....check it out.
>
> Naomi Drucker has recorded it and I no of no other recording. If there are
> others please let me know.
>
>
> Happy music
> hunting!
>
> -jason
> gresl
>