Klarinet Archive - Posting 000124.txt from 2003/07

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: Re: [kl] bass clarinet solos in the film Respiro
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2003 19:21:26 -0400

On Thu, 03 Jul 2003 22:46:19 +0000, acb@-----.is said:

> Has anyone on the list seen the Italian film Respiro? It's quite
> provocative in a number of ways, but my reason for mentioning it here
> is the also provocative bass clarinet solos that are featured
> throughout, usually during the film's several underwater scenes. We
> were ushered out of the theatre before I could see the credits in
> full, but I would love to know who the performer was. The playing was
> often thick and heavy, gritty even at times, with a good deal of
> vibrato (more than I usually hear on bass), and likely with the mike
> very close to the performer. This style of playing might not appeal to
> all, but the performer's control was exceptional, the clarinetistry
> superb and - as I said - quite provocative.
>
> I recommend the film as well as the clarinet playing and welcome any
> information anyone might have on this wonderful bass clarinetist.

IMDB gives John Surman II as composer on this film:

http://uk.imdb.com/Credits?0286516

...and if you search there on John Surman II:

http://uk.imdb.com/Name?Surman,%20John%20(II)

...you see that he also collaborated on the music for the movie
'Merry-Go-Round' (1983) where he is credited as playing the bass
clarinet:

http://uk.imdb.com/Credits?0085934

...so I suspect that he's the player on 'Respiro' too.

Then a Google search on John Surman:

http://www.google.com/search?query=%22john+surman%22&num=50&sa=Search

...gives, among other things:

http://www.user.fast.net/~dkmjf/surman.htm

...on which I see that he's a Brit, and has played with many people I
know. I'm a bit ashamed I don't know about him already.

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
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