Klarinet Archive - Posting 000070.txt from 2009/08

From: Simon Aldrich <simonaldrich@-----.ca>
Subj: [kl] Re: Looking for more chamber music, this time Klezmer style
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:16:44 -0400

Sean asked;
"I'm looking for chamber music that incorporates some Klezmer style
for clarinet piano, and either violin, 'cello, or both (trios or
quartets, in other words). Ideally, these would be short, and upbeat.
I came across something called "Klezmer Wedding" for the same combo,
but don't know if it's good or not. Heard of it?"

I have played Srul Irving Glick's "The Klezmer's Wedding" many times.
It is a good, 12-minute piece, written for cl, vln and pno, with an
alternate part for cello (replacing violin).
I have done it many settings - receptions, bar mitzvahs (where people
got up and danced to it) and chamber concert settings.
The last time I did it, the violinist and I entered from opposing ends
of the hall. The violin part starts with an open-5ths tremolo, which
allowed us to approach the stage slowly, she tremoloing and me doing a
klezmer harmonic-minor /quasi-contemporary quarter-tone trill improv
until we got up onto the stage, at which point you can seamlessly
start the piece (the pianist being already at the piano).
The piece was premiered in 1996 by James Campbell.
(There is also an arrangement of The Klezmer's Wedding for clarinet
and string orchestra, recorded by Giora Feidman in 1999 (Sinfonia
Frankfurt/Tilmann Koster conductor).)

As Sarah mentioned the Stuchevsky Hasidic Suite (cl,vcl,pno) is
another good piece that works well.

Going further afield, one of my favourite current composers is Betty
Olivero (http://www.olivero.co.il/).
Her piece Aria is for the Quartet for the End of Time instrumentation.
While not light fare, it is a moving piece.
It was commissioned by the Jerusalem International Festival for
Chamber Music.
From Betty's program notes for the piece:
"Throughout the work, distant echoes of instruments such as the middle
eastern violin, ney and santour make themselves heard, as well as the
sound of various bells and imaginary gongs. Clarinet ornamentations
are also a constant thread woven through the work, ornamented at times
by the piano in random improvisatory phrases reminiscent of piano
nocturnes. At the climax of the piece, the instruments unite in a
monodic a cappella recitation of an ancient prayer."

In passing, her Six Yiddish Lieder (from a longer clarinet quintet
"Der Golem") for solo clarinet and string quartet are wonderful as well.
There is a version for clarinet and string orchestra. I am not sure if
it has been recorded, aside from a radio concert broadcast I have of
it with Feidman and Jerusalem Symphony.
Betty's music is visceral and stirring, without being bombastic. By
far the most moving piece I have ever done with my contemporary
ensemble is Betty's "Juego de Siempre", 12 folk songs in the Ladino
language, for female voice and seven players (flute, clarinet,
percussion, harp, violin, viola, cello).

Perhaps more than you need to know, but all grist for the mill.

------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Aldrich

Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne

------------------------------------------------------------------