Klarinet Archive - Posting 000167.txt from 1996/11
From: Alan Stanek <STANALAN@-----.EDU>
Subj: Muczynski
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 1996 12:17:10 -0500
<On 11/6 Joerg Peltzer wrote: Can you tell me something about the Muczynski,
never heard of him? Worth playing?>
I'm looking at the record jacket of an album entitled *20th Century Clarinet
Trios* Performed by the Muhlfeld Trio - H. James Scheopflin, clarinet,
Christopher Von Baeyer, cello, and Judith Gebhardt-Schoepflin, Piano. (1983)
I've written one word over the description of Muczynski's *Fantasy Trio, Opus
26,
FANTASTIC!
Yes, this work is definitely worth getting to know and perform. Here is the
record jacket note in its entirety:
"Robert Muczynski (born 1929, Chicago [still living in Tucson]) studied
composition with Alexander Tcherepnin at De Paul University, Chicago.
Muczynski's
catalog includes forty-five orchestral, piano solo, choral and chamber music
compositions. He is [was] Chairman of Composition and Composer-in-Residence at
the University of Arizona, Tucson; and he has received two Ford Foundation
Fellowship grants, 12 ASCAP creative merit awards, the International Society for
Contemporary Music Award, and the Concours Internationale Prize awarded in Nice,
France. His commissions are from the Louisville and National Symphony
Orchestras,
Chicago Little Symphony, Fromm Foundation, and the Western Arts Trio. Winthrop
Sargeant, in *The New Yorker Magazine* wrote: 'Robert Muczynski is one of the
few
contemporary composers whose works are not merely technical exercises but have
something to say'."
"Robert Muczynski writes, 'I composed the *Fantasy Trio* during the summer of
1969 at the request of two colleagues at the University of Arizona. The three of
us planned to present a program of music for clarinet, cello and piano, and it
was noted that the literature for this combination, particularly in terms of the
20th century, is scant. It was my hope to write a piece that would have not only
rewarding solo roles for the respective instruments but one that would contain a
satisfying interplay or 'dialogue' for the trio as well. The work alternates
between rather terse rhythmic statements and sustained lyrical moments climaxing
with a movement full of exhuberance and unabashed joy. I enjoyed writing this
music, and I'd like to think that some essence of that experience is conveyed to
the listener.'"
James Schoepflin, the clarinetist, may be known by many on the klarinet list as
the first publisher of THE CLARINET magazine. Jim is professor of clarinet at
Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Fortunately for me, Jim sent me this
recording for a review that I wrote some years ago in THE CLARINET (which I
can't
seem to find this morning).
Fortunately for clarinetists and music lovers, Muczynski has written many works
for wind instruments. Of those I've heard and played - all are very special. So
special that Mitchell Lurie commissioned Muczynski to write TIME PIECES, which
have been performed often at International ClarinetFest conferences and on
recitals all over the world.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Joerg and others not yet members of THE INTERNATIONAL CLARINET ASSOCIATION,
reviews of new music are in every issue of THE CLARINET. I extend to all an
invitation to become members and partake of the benefits of the association
which
include:
CLARINETFEST: an annual conference featuring performances,
lecture-demonstrations, and master classes by world-class clarinetists, mock
auditions, musical mechandise displays and more
THE CLARINET: a high-quality quarterly journal discussing all facets of the
clarinet. A valuable source of information sent to all members
DIRECTORY: of over 3500 members in over 65 countries around the world
YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION (up to age 27), a HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION, as well as a
COMPOSITION COMPETITION
CD RECORDING PROJECT: open to all members
I.C.A. RESEARCH CENTER: access to one of the world's most comprehensive
collection of music for the clarinet
cooperation with KLARINET, *this* on-line discussion group (David Niethamer,
Internet Liaison)
For complete membership information visit David's web site:
<http://members.alo.com/dbnclar1/icamem.html>
ICA will have a web site soon!!!!!!!
Best wishes everyone!
=========================================================
Alan Stanek, Professor of Music at Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID 83209-8099 e-mail <stanalan@-----.edu>
http://www.isu.edu/departments/music
President - International Clarinet Association
=========================================================
