 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hank
Date: 2002-11-22 19:56
Hi,
I just heard a recording on CBC 2 last night of the Suite from "Victorian Kitchen Garden" by Reade performed by Jerry Summers. A terrific performance and a beautiful piece of music. Jerry is a professor of clarinet at W. Ontario University and I emailed him about the composition and he said:
"Thanks for your interest in my cd FLIGHT OF THE NIGHTINGALE. The CBC has been giving it considerable air play... The Reade piece is well worth playing (good for students as well). I will have to check the publisher for you but I know that EBLE Music in Iowa would carry it."
If you do not know this piece, you may want to give the CD a listen. I did order it from EBLE and should be enjoying it myself next week.
Hank
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Author: Hank
Date: 2002-11-22 19:57
I ordered the music but will order the CD later.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2002-11-23 06:49
This beautiful suite was written for Emma Johnson to go along with a television series of that name. The first part (Prelude) was the theme tune. The series dealt with all aspects of the cultivation and usage of the produce from the vegetable, fruit, herb and flower gardens attached to large Victorian "piles". It must be about time for a rerun of the series so watch out for it. I have played this satisfying suite many times and generally I prefer the combination I,II and V. Originally for harp accompaniment, it works just fine on piano. I'm sure you'll love the Suite and feel free to take liberties along the way - Emma does and beautifully !!
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Author: Hank
Date: 2002-11-23 12:35
Bob,
Thanks for the intel on the Suite. For those than have not heard any parts, a few small sound bits can be found at
http://www.marquisclassics.com/273_flig.asp from teh CD by Jerry Summers.
The liner notes state that this CD is a world premier but if Emma had played it before......
Lovely none the less.
Hank
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Author: Tilly
Date: 2002-11-24 01:09
Hank,
Yes, the Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite is fun to play. Jerry Summers does a wonderful on his CD, Flight of the Nightingale. I got my copy of the music from Peter Spriggs (The Clarinet Center):
peter@pspriggs.com
Good luck and have fun with it!
Tilly
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-11-24 06:19
Hank,
I like the piece. After hearing Emma Johnson's recording, I got the music. IMO, while it is not a masterpiece for the clarinet, it is pleasant and accessible and not particularly technical. I think it would make a good "change of pace" piece for a college recital. I like it with harp and might even prefer guitar before piano but that's a matter of taste.
I see some parallels in programming between Johnson's "Encores" and "Encores II." I think that anyone who likes "Victorian Kitchen Garden" would also enjoy playing "Walking in the Air" by Howard Blake which she does on "II." It is an adaptation of his song from the soundtrack for a delightful cartoon short, "The Snowman." (BTW, highly recommended.) The clarinet version is actually the middle movement of a three-movement suite. I think Johnson was wise to omit the other movements, however. Richard Stoltzman has also recorded "Walking ..." with a jazz combo behind him -- IMO even better than the Johnson version.
I might also mention that I don't particularly care for Reade's subsequent "Antique Road Show" suite, at least in its clarinet incarnation. It was originally written for trumpet and IMO works better on that instrument.
BTW, in going back and listening to "Victorian Kitchen Garden," I was reminded that many of Johnson's earlier ASV recordings were put on disks with a defective chemical formulation. My copy of "Encores" and a few other ASV's that I also checked out are beginning to show significant discoloration. They still play but I made backup copies to be on the safe side. I'm glad you brought the piece up.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Hank
Date: 2002-11-24 11:03
Hi Jack,
Thanks for an excellent analysis of the piece. I'm going to buy the Summer CD of the the suite. There are some other intersting things on teh disc, many which are world premier recordings.
You bring up an interesting point though when you say "while it is not a masterpiece for the clarinet ..." I wonder if much of the literature that today we accept as "masterpieces" was seen as that during the first few years the compostions were out?
Does one know right away? When I heard the suite the first time, I was really struck by the melodies, harmonies, as well as the integration of the accompaniment and the solist. In fact, several of the melodies struck me as being absolutely beautiful.
I also have the same reaction to many of John Williams' compositions. Beautiful music but will they be masterpieces?
Hank
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Author: Corinne
Date: 2002-11-24 14:36
Hank, give a listen to a new recording of this piece by Mark Thompson. The CD is called Blue Skies produced by www.clearlyclassicconcerts.com. You can e-mail Mark at this address. A really good CD!
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