Klarinet Archive - Posting 000126.txt from 1996/01

From: niethamer@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: Women Comp. for Clarinet
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 1996 14:46:04 -0500

On Sat, 6 Jan 1996, Jane A. Wilson wrote:

> I am beginning work on a departmental honors project here at UTC for my
> bachelors in music. I am in searching for any and all names of women who have
> composed for the clarinet. The idea right now is to form an annotated list
> of works as a reference for all clarinetists, and also to perform a recital of
> works composed by women. I have a few web pages, names, and a catalog of
> clarinet music in general to start with. I would appreciate any help from the
> list as to any further names, sites, pieces, recordings, or any other sources.

I'll start with a good friend, Judith Shatin, who teaches at Univ of VA
in Charlottesville, and is currently serving her sentence as Chair of the
Music Department. She has a national reputation as a composer, and a
catalogue of works that includes a few for clarinet. One such, a work for
clarinet alone, is "Meridians", written for me for the 1988 ICA meeting
which was here in Richmond. Other Chamber music as well.

I'll also point you to the following:

Arsis Press (specializing in works by Women)
1719 Bay Street SE
Washington DC 20003
(202) 544-4817

>From Arsis, I've played Ruth Schonthal's "Love Letters" for clarinet and
cello - a stunning work, and worth wider recognition IMHO.

and:

New York Women Composers, Inc.
114 Kelburne Avenue
North Tarrytown NY 10591
(914) 631-4361

I've not ever used this one, but they sent a catalogue in 1990 listing
lots of works for various instruments.

I'll also mention two works which come immediately to mind - Sonata for
clarinet and cello, by Phyllis Tate (Oxford), and Joan Tower, who has a
large catalogue including "Wings" for clarinet alone, and Fantasy:Harbor
Lights" which is another stunner - a major addition to the clarinet/piano
rep, and is recorded by Robert Spring, who's on this list.

Also, you could contact Margaret Brouwer at Washington and Lee
University, Lexington, Virginia. I don't know that she has any clarinet
works, but she's another fine composer with a national reputation.

Hope this helps.

David Niethamer