Klarinet Archive - Posting 000355.txt from 1996/08

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: the Irish Brahms
Date: Mon, 12 Aug 1996 13:02:54 -0400

On Mon, 12 Aug 1996, Fogle, Bill wrote:

> In a music store Saturday, a man leafing through the clarinet
> solo drawer started telling me about a composer who has been
> called the "Irish Brahms" (this is not a joke). I lost the name.
> Is anyone familiar with an Irish composer of (among other
> things????) clarinet music who might fit that
> description?

A British composer who was supposedly influenced by Brahms was Sir
Charles Villiers Stanford. However, I am not aware of whether he was
Irish or English. Stanford taught composition at the Royal Conservatory
of Music in London. He did write for the clarinet. Without any
reference materials at hand, I believe there is a Sonata which is quite
often performed.

Another possibility might be a composer who studied with Stanford,
William Hurlstone. I know that he wrote for woodwind instruments,
including a good bassoon sonata and a trio for clarinet, bassoon and
piano, but I don't know of any specific solo works for clarinet.
Harmonically, the music of both of these composers has something in
common with Brahms.

Ed Lacy
*****************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
*****************************************************************