Klarinet Archive - Posting 000576.txt from 1995/12

From: Josias Associates <josassoc@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Ponchielli "Quartet"
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 02:03:26 -0500

On Thu, 21 Dec 1995 niethamer@-----.BITNET wrote:

> Can anyone tell me the exact instrumentation of the Ponchielli "Quartet"
> which includes Eb and Bb clarinet and piano?
>
> Also, is this work published, and by whom? Any recordings?
>
> David Niethamer
>

Hi David,

The best known version of the "Quartet" is for (in addition to
the Bb and Eb soprano clarinets and the piano accompaniment) flute and oboe.

I know of three recordings. There is an old one with soloists from the
Philadelphia Orchestra and a newer one by the Swiss ensemble, "Syrinx,"
which is contained in a vinyl LP of salon music by Ponchielli. The Syrinx
recording contains several marvelous performances, including one of an
unpublished trio by Ponchielli for violin, clarinet, and piano, entitled,
"Paolo and Virginia."

The music I used in the Quartet, which I've performed several
times, was obtained from the Library of Congress. There was, however, a
recent report on Klarinet about a newly published version.

The third recording I referred to was a non-commercial tape
by the USC Concert Band in which the piano accompaniment was superbly
scored for band by Professor (now Emeritus) William Schaeffer also of USC,
who conducted the ensemble.

Regards,

Connie

Conrad Josias
La Canada, California