Klarinet Archive - Posting 000069.txt from 1996/02

From: Armand Ferland <Armand.Ferland@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Reynaldo Hahn
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 1996 13:03:02 -0500

> A few weeks ago, while on break from college, I took a
>clarinet book out from our local library called Sixteen Grand Solos for
>Clarinet. I started working on a piece called Saraband et Varie by a
>composer named Reynaldo Hahn, whom I have never heard of, nor could I
>find any information about him. Now, I'm back at school, and my
>professor would like for me to play the piece at a recital. I was just
>wondering if anyone had any information on the piece or perhaps a place
>where I could get a recording of it. Thanks.
>
>Marissa

Marissa, "Sarabande et Theme Varie" is a beautiful and well-written piece
for clarinet and piano. I leaned it when I was a student and performed it
several times later in recitals. It was the set piece for the annual
"concours" of the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris in
the years 1903 and 1920. Reynaldo Hahn is a well-known French composer who
was born in 1874 and died in 1947. In his book "Clarinet Solos de Concours
1897-1980" (Indiana University Press, 1981), Harry R. Gee writes the
following:
"Reynaldo Hahn was one of thee most distinguished pupils of Massenet. His
operas and operettas were variously successful, bur he is chiefly
remembered for his songs and his settings of poems by Verlaine, which were
written in 1891-92, when he was 18. (...) Dedicated to Charles Turban,
Professor of Clarinet, this solo [Sarabande et Theme Varie] is one of the
most charming of the early solos. the piece opens with a majestic Sarabande
in 3/2. Following is a delicate theme in 6/8, which is almost a Scottish
tune, then four variations and a short coda."
Sorry, I do not know of any recording of this music. Good luck.
Armand

Armand Ferland
1196, rue Eugene-Hamel
Sainte-Foy (Quebec)
Canada G1W 4G4
Home: (418) 651-5017
e-mail: Armand.Ferland@-----.ca