 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-02-15 22:43
Clarinetist, Michel Portal, has died at the age of 90. In France, he was a major musical figure: playing jazz, Classical, contemporary, different instruments, composing film scores.. Some Classical players disapproved of his Classical playing because he used quite a bit of vibrato, but what I liked was that his playing was always expressive, emotional and imaginative. Rest in peace and thank you for all the musical joy you brought us.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: graham
Date: 2026-02-15 23:07
I read this on Slipped Disc and realised that I had never listened to any Portal. Well, I’ve remedied that this afternoon and I am glad I finally did so. Wonderful player! Fascinating music.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-02-16 14:04
Graham: Did you listen to jazz or Classical? His recording with the accordeonist Richard Galliano is wonderful.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-02-16 18:33
Liquorice: Yours is a tribute from one great clarinetist to another. Some very orthodox clarinetists didn't approve of his playing, but he was much admired by younger generations.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: graham
Date: 2026-02-16 21:34
Thanks Ruben. Thus far I have listened to the Mozart and Brahms quintets, the recent album with Brahms sonata and Schumann Fantasiestucke etc, and a range of the jazz bass clarinet stuff. I’ve also watched some short videos on YouTube and will catch up with some of the longer ones.
The style is very individual and interesting. Indeed, very touching and insightful.
I have a notion I may have attended a recital of the Brahms quintet many years ago in Wigmore Hall. It was definitely a French player, but I can’t find anything to corroborate that.
Anyway, his playing may not suit everyone but I like it very much.
graham
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-02-19 00:37
His favorite jazz clarinetist: Jimmy Hamilton.. Michel Portal himself didn't play jazz on the soprano clarinet. He used the bass clarinet and various saxes for improvised music. This was in order to make a clear separation between Classical and other forms of music.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2026-02-19 01:42
Ruben- did you know Michel personally? If so, then I am sorry for your personal loss.
It's a big loss for the musical world. I always admired him, whatever he played. Players like him open up possibilities which the rest of us would never have thought of. Thank you Monsieur Portal.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-02-19 09:40
Liquorice: I ran into him a few times, but didn't know him personally. He was always on the road.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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