Klarinet Archive - Posting 000843.txt from 1998/01

From: David McClune <dmcclune@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: 2 clarinets and wind ensemble??
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 13:28:08 -0500

OK Tom, et all, here is the unbiased view of the Buckley work!

It fills a lonely gap in the current literature for clarinet and band, for
a virtuoso solo, let alone a double concerto, which is still playable by a
VERY good high school wind ensemble and could feature two professional level
players. The solo parts (thanks Tom for your copy!) sound harder than they
look, though would require extreme control and speed from your tonal
technique--read that as Klose scales and arpeggios. The piece is about 10
minutes long in the traditional ABA (fast slow fast) form. Musically it
harks back to the tonal/virtuoso writing of the Sousa era. It is not
contemporary at all, and quite a delight to hear.

I firmly believe that we as players must perform "modern" music for the
language to become more acceptable to the audience. We cannot let ourselves
become museums of old music, however,,, band directors and audience members
often can not take a long Brian Israel concerto. The Buckley work would
balance a more agressive modern program with something fun and impressive to
hear. The soloists would have a ball learning and performing the work while
extending their finger speed.

Tom and ah,,,,, the other player did an increadable job in the performance.
What a tough audience to play for, 5,000 band directors.

(Tom, any luck with getting a full score for me?)

At 11:29 PM 1/19/98 EST, you wrote:
>Lewis J. Buckley, Fantasy for Two clarinets and Wind Ensemble. (Ludwig Music)
>
>I performed this with a collegue of mine Jonathan Towne and the U.S. Coast
>Guard Band at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. It is a good piece worth
>performing in my opinion. Both Roger Ferrell and David McClune of this list
>will be able to give you an unbiased review as they were present for the
>performance.
>
>Tom Labadorf
>
Dr. David McClune
Professor of Clarinet
Director of Bands
Union University
Jackson, TN 38305
901-661-5294-office

   
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