The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-12-16 06:01
I got the Renata Rusche (spelling?) recording, and I'm enjoying that, but so far I haven't managed to find much bass clarinet music that is to my taste. I don't find contemporary jazz very involving. I want to hear bass clarinet, so ensemble recordings, unless the bass is in a featured role, aren't what I'm seeking. Who is that guy who pioneered the altissimo range of the bass quite a few years ago? A Dutch sounding name, something like Sparnau. Do you have any recommendations for me?
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Author: hat
Date: 2000-12-16 11:29
The name you are thinking of is Harry Sparnaay. He has some terrific solo recordings out, if you can find him.
His student, Michael Lowenstern, is perhaps today's leading bass clarinet virtuoso. He also composes much of his own music. He has two solo cds available. Go to his website for some mp3s.
http://www.earspasm.com/
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Author: David Basden
Date: 2000-12-17 13:37
also worth checking out:
Duo Contemporain
(Henri Bok - BCl + Alto Sax and Miguel Bernat - Perc)
- a number of recordings on the Dutch "Globe" label
- Brouwer, Donatoni, Brophy...
http://www.qualiton.com/globe.html
the music of Nigel Westlake
(Clarinets of all sizes + compositions) on the "Tall Poppies" label
- especially have a listen to "Onomatopoeia" (lets go wild with BCl and digital delay)
http://www.tallpoppies.au.nu
ps - Eric Dolphy is a must listen!!!
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Author: Andy
Date: 2000-12-18 04:49
As an Aussie I am definitly biased towards Nigel Westlake. On top of the pieces mentioned above, he has also recorded his own Bass clarinet concerto with the TSO on the ABC label. He piece Malachite Glass for Bass Clarinet and percussion ensemble is also really worth listening to, also on Tall Poppies.
Sparnay and Bok are also real masters. Bok has realeased a disk on the clarinet classics label. My copy is still on order in this country, but....
Regards,
Andy
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2000-12-18 15:38
Ken,
Although the piece is certainly contemporary (which style is generally not to my taste, either), nonetheless an awesome bit of solo bass clarinet playing can be found in the first "tune" on John Bruce Yeh's recent CD, "Dialogues with My Shadow" (I believe that's the title). He's got it all --- tone, technique, dynamic range, intonation, special effects. Fabulous playing, even if the music itself is not terribly likable.
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