 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-03-07 18:04
spent the last two evenings with the Imani Winds (wood)wind quintet.
<http://www.imaniwinds.com/>
Last nite, several of our local windies sat in with the Imani folks on the stage at the Panida theater. To the pros in the Imani Winds, we added 3 toots, 1 oboe, 1 baboon, 2 clarinets and 2 horns. We did a Beethoven Octet with the locals playing passably well. We also did a few bits from our local group's folder of ww5 stuff --but many of the pieces took on a decidedly different flavor when guided by the Imanis --particularly a couple of Sea Chanty (parodies).
I was fortunate in getting the group to play my transcription of the 2nd Brahms (Op. 120, No. 2) Sonata for Clarinet and Piano that spreads the piano part over the ww5. ALL of the locals bitched about the key signatures (of course) --asking me why on earth, if I'd arranged it, did I not push it up a couple of tones and simplify the key.
Blush, with the help of Finale, I shifted the oboe part one beat --which added considerable texture to the Brahms harmonies! Amazing (to me), the oboist simply played ahead a beat, and everything (but my ego) came out ok.
The feeling was that it could work beautifully, but that the distribution of intensity over the parts would require careful adjustment in order to produce the balance intended by Johannes. Another criticism (from Lee Livengood on the string4 version played at ClarinetFest) is that the string and wind transcriptions loose the percussive attacks provided by the piano's hammers.
Oh, and Mariam, the clarinetist is freakin' awesome. She looks and sounds like a textbook example of clarinetting. Perfect embochure: flat chin, smile, no face movement (short of her eyes) whatsoever.
The Imani folks expressed joy in "getting" to play with us Local Yokels and retired to famous Sandpoint Pub, Eichardts, for beer and burgers
Today's soirées were different. The arts council bussed in like 350 kids for a 10 AM workshop this morning. I missed that --couldn't pass for a high school kid.
Tonite's show opened with the Imani horn player coming out in a tux, moving to center stage and opening with one of the sweetest notes ever heard. I thought "fanfare," but he morphed into a swinging sound that said, "YOU can't do this on a Frog Horn!) Little by little the rest of the ensemble joined him, pairing off and coming to the fore in ones, twos, threes and fives. Nice.
They played mostly their own compositions and arrangements (Sigh, I wanted to hear them do some more early Beethoven!)
Impression dominant:
These players have an incredible pallet of tone colors.
If I'd gone in tonight with no knowledge of ww5, I'd want to go out and buy one this morning.
Bob
Bob Phillips
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2008-03-07 20:25
They came to U of Maryland a couple of years ago and did a chamber music workshop. They are an impressive and innovative group for sure. Quite entertaining and informative as clinicians, as well. I see their CDs in stores occasionally now.
Lori
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Author: OmarHo
Date: 2008-03-08 00:16
I'm very fond of this amazing group of talented musicians. They're extremely versatile and musical. You should listen to the broadcast on Saint Paul Sunday:
Here.
I think they all come from prestigious music schools, I wonder how they all met?
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-03-08 16:22
The Imani folks seem to center on New York; they all have degrees and university/college connections there. Amazingly, they have been playing together for 10-years with NO personnel changes.
Bob Phillips
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