Klarinet Archive - Posting 000183.txt from 2001/09

From: "CLARK FOBES " <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Music for Solo Bass Clarinet
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 22:28:35 -0400

Years ago I premiered and then recorded a wonderful piece for bass clarinet
and tape written by Amnon Wolman. It is called "A Circle in the Fire". It is
dedicated to Harry Sparnaay, but as far as I know he never played it. I
played it at the Clarinet Conference in Flagstaff in 1991 on a recital hour
with Eric Mandat - nice company!

The part and tape can be obtained from Amnon Wolman who teaches composition
at North Western University.

One of the most wicked pieces for bass clarinet solo is "Time and Motion
Study I"
by Brian Ferneyhough. This is recorded on a CD by Harry Sparnaay called
"Ladder of Escape". (ATTACCA 8945-1). There are several wonderful pieces
for bass clarinet on this CD including the title piece written for an
ensemble of bass clarinets and contra bass clarinets! Harry plays all the
parts -overdubbed.

My favorite bass clarinet CD is of the great Swedish virtuoso, Tommie
Lundberg. The title of the CD is BLOW on Fylkingen records (FYCD 1001).
Tommie has also recorded "Time ans Motion Study I" on this CD and other
pieces for mixed ensemble,
Bcl & pno, Bcl,vln & cello, Bcl & tape and Bcl ,pno,vln, vla & cello.

Unfortunately, Tommie died much too early, but there is a memorial concert
planned for him at the Clarfest in Stockholm next summer.

Another bass clarinetist that is very much at the "avante garde" is an old
HS chum of mine, Marty Walker. Marty plays clarinet and bass clarinet with
"California Ear Unit" and is well associated with southern califoria scene.
He studied clarinet with Phil Rehfeldt at the University of Redlands and
became associated with the contemporary composer Barney Childs. Marty has
made at least 5 CDs. The most recent is "For BC: the Redlands Sessions".
This is recorded on CRI, #866. Wild!

Clark W Fobes

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