Klarinet Archive - Posting 000544.txt from 1997/05

From: Josias Associates <josassoc@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Repertoire
Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 17:20:46 -0400

Hi Pauline,

The Francaix Trio is published by Schott (1990). Although I
haven't yet performed it, I did read through it two years ago at the
Ashland (Oregon) Chamber Music Workshop and found it to be immensely
enjoyable -- to the point that I have added the composition to my
performance wish list. Technically, the Trio is not as daunting as, say,
his Clarinet Concerto or his First Wind Quintet. I recall that, as of
the time of my readthrough, another Klarinet list member posted a
message in which he reported performing the Trio and mentioning that the
audience loved it. (The message may be in the Archives someplace.)

Since you appear to be as enthusiastic about Francaix's music as
I am, at the risk of telling you things you may already know,
I wish to tell you about two exceptional (and accessible) works by
the composer, which I performed on February 22nd. Part of a wind dectet
program, those works were his "Sept Danses" and his arrangement for dectet
of Francis Poulenc's piano pieces, "Musique pour faire plaisir." Time
did not permit the inclusion of his "Nine Pieces Caracteristique," but
we were able to play Graham Sheen's very effective transcription of
Dvorak's Orchestral work, "Czech Suite," as well as works by two other
composers.

Regards,

Connie

Conrad Josias
La Canada, California

On Tue, 20 May 1997, pauline minevich f wrote:

> Connie,
> Could you give a little more info about the Francaix trio for
> clarinet, viola, and piano, e.g., who is the publisher? Also, if you have
> played it, is it fiendishly difficult, like the clarinet concerto? I am
> very fond of Francaix's work, but it can be a bit daunting!
> Thanks in advance,
> Pauline Minevich.
>
> On Fri, 16 May 1997, Josias Associates wrote:
>
> > Robert,
> >
> > I'll second the Gordon Jacob suggestion, and I'll also recommend
> > the Jean Francaix Trio.
> >
> > Connie
> >
> > Conrad Josias
> > La Canada, California
> >
>