Klarinet Archive - Posting 001062.txt from 1998/04

From: "John Gates" <cadenza@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Phyllis Tate
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 11:12:45 -0400

Not a whole lot but I am familiar with the Sonata for Cello and Clarinet as
well as "Scenes from Tyneside". I believe Phyllis Tate was married to
clarinetist Alan Frank whom I met when he was general director of Oxford
Musical Press! Alan Frank was the 2nd clarinetist in several London
orchestras in the 30's and 40's and played a good deal with famous English
clarinetist Frederick Thurston. I think he (Frank) also wrote some sort of
a clarinet method book or at least co-authored a book with Thurston.

The Sonata was written for Thurston and is a relatively long classically
structured work. I remember the Scherzo and Sarabande with great fondness.
It was recorded in the mid sixties with the cellist William Pleeth (a
fantastic musician) and Gervase de Peyer (I think the label was Argo). A
very good recording if you haven't heard it.

"Scenes from Tyneside" was written much later, I believe in the 70's. Its a
work for soprano, clarinet, piano. A very well crafted work and quite
difficult, especially for the singer. I gave the US premiere of this work
in the early 80's.

Now would you tell me what you know about Tate. Is she still alive? what
about Alan Frank? Sorry I don't know much about her lighter music or music
for children. Something tells me that she had something to do about the
BBC. Maybe for a period she was a staff composer or something........

Best, John Gates (cadenza@-----.com)

-----Original Message-----
From: C. Bellomy <cbellomy@-----.edu>
Cc: C. Bellomy <cbellomy@-----.edu>
Date: Monday, April 20, 1998 7:17 AM
Subject: Re: Phyllis Tate

>
>I am looking for information about Phyllis Tate. I have the basic
>dictionary/encyclopedia biographies and miscellaneous articles whose main
>purpose is to mention her death. Does anyone have any information about
>her educational children's music or her commercial light music?
>
>I am also looking for information and opinions about Tate's compositions
>that involve clarinet. These include:
> 1. Sonata for clarinet and 'cello
> 2. 3 Pieces for clarinet alone
> 3. Prelude, Aria, Interlude and Finale (clar and pno)
> 4. Air and Variations (clar, vln, pno)
> 5. Songs of Sundry Natures for baritone voice, fl, cl, bsn, horn
>and harp
> 6. Nocturne for 4 Voice and 7 Instruments (mezzo-soprano, tenor,
>baritone, bass, bass clarinet, celesta, string quartet, double bass)
> 7. Scenes from Tyneside (clar, soprano, pno)
>
> If anyone has information about Phyllis Tate they would care to
>share with me, please respond to
>
> cbellomy@-----.edu
>
> Thanks in advance!
>

   
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