 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2016-03-23 18:32
In looking through the archives, I don't see a lot of postings that mention Harmen de Boer. Last weekend at a yard sale, Kevin and I picked up a used and somewhat incomplete set of the 170-disc Mozart Edition, all of Mozart's music, from Brilliant Classics. This set includes Harmen de Boer playing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam, conducted by Lev Markiz. I highly recommend it! I think this 1994 performance also got released on a single disc.
As I've mentioned here before, I'm partial to basset clarinet renditions (particularly Tony Pay's) of this concerto. However, it's a big world with plenty of room for variations. I also like a number of performances on modern clarinet, including this one by de Boers. While he doesn't seem to have made a lot of recordings, I'll be sure to hunt down more.
One of the many things that appeal to me about his Mozart Concerto is a difficult-to-describe quality of *fun*. Of course, nobody tries to turn this concerto into something dark and grim -- that would just be stupid. But de Boer, more than most clarinet players, brings a captivating lilt to his Mozart.
He's got bottomless lungs, btw. In a number of places where it's easy to sneak a breath without messing up the phrasing, and where most clarinet players do take a breath, I hear no evidence that he takes a breath. He's individualistic enough to be interesting, while (for my ears, anyway -- I'm an amateur) he stays well within what's appropriate from the written score.
I'm curious what other folks here think of de Boer.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-03-24 02:59
Dear Lelia,
Thank you so much for bringing this performer to our attention! I found this Adagio of the Mozart on Youtube and he sounds absolutely wonderful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z34t1_st_Ns
I also want to give a shout out to the interpretation of the accompaniment. There was only one other instance I can recall where it was played as beautifully pulling out the sonorities of the bassoon (so critical within the texture).
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Luuk ★2017
Date: 2016-03-24 15:18
Harmen de Boer is currently one of the members of the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble, NBE (Dutch Wind Ensemble). From the site of the NBE (http://www.nbe.nl/, my translation):
Dutch Wind Ensemble (NBE) is a group of over twenty musicians who come together around eighty times per year to play special programs at home and abroad. Shared passion and hunger for adventure drives the NBE to making theatrical music programs that are rarely caught under one musical denominator; NBE combines contemporary and ancient music of all types and sizes to awaken the senses and imagination. NBE is always looking for intriguing collaborations with musicians from different cultures and exciting combinations with other disciplines. With innovative programs, the NBE want to surprise a large audience, captivate, move and excite.
I'm a big fan of this ensemble and would advise everybody to check their YouTube registrations to get an impression of the joy and excitement they bring during their performances.
Harmen is also a member of the Fodor Kwintet, and he has been member of the Radio Symfonie Orkest, Nieuw Radio Kamer Orkest, Sinfonietta Amsterdam, Metropole Orkest and the Amsterdams Philharmonisch Orkest.
Regards,
Luuk
Philips Symphonic Band
The Netherlands
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2016-03-24 15:53
Luuk - this ensemble has always been a leading one as far as I am concerned. However you may wish to note that in English we normally do refer to them as the Netherlands Wind Ensemble - Don't ask me why but we do.
As you say, they have always been top notch. I remember seeing them on television in the UK fairly shortly after I started learning the clarinet which made a great impression. Also some of their recordings such as the Gounod Petite Symphonie.
Vanessa
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2016-03-24 17:48
Does anyone know if de Boer plays Leitner and Krauss Boehm clarinets? His performance reminds me of Bram De Wilde's, principle clarinet in the Concertgebow Orchestra in the 1950s, another great player from the Netherlands.
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2016-03-24 18:01
Yes, he indeed plays Leitner & Kraus Reform Boehm clarinets.
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