My Sonata is in a conservative tonalidiom, which, for the past seventeen years, I have found more convivial than conventional, academic modernism. My Sonata is written for clarinet in A for two reasons: most of the aforementioned works are for clarinet in B-flat, suggesting that a gap might be filled also, the additional low note furnished by the clarinet in A is very useful. The only works of this genre by well-known composers are the Duo of Weber, the two Sonatas of Brahms, a Sonata by Saint-Saens, three Sonatas by Reger, the Sonata by Poulenc, and the Rhapsody of Debussy. It seems rather strange that there should be so little for clarinet and piano in the standard repertoire. Yeh, with whom I have had a stimulating musical relationship for over 17 years. He also performs as soloist with orchestras in the US and Europe and with prestigious chamber ensembles such as the Guarneri String Quartet and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.īoth pieces were written between June 30 and Octofirst the Sonata, and then two weeks later, the Sonatina. Two years later, Sir George Solti appointed him assistant principal clarinetist. Yeh became a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1977 at age 19. One reason the sonata coexists so well alongside Blackwood’s is that they’re “similar in harmonic idiom,” Blackwood says. The sonata had long been a favorite of Yeh, who convinced Blackwood, a musical collaborator for some 17 years, to consider adding it to his repertoire. 107 (1909), and early 20th century piece that echoes the bygone German Romantic tradition.
“There is no repertoire whatever for piano and E-flat clarinet - at least to my knowledge,” Blackwood writes in the CD booklet.īest-known for his somber, sprawling organ works, Max Reger reveals surprisingly witty and tender sides to his musical personality in the Sonata No. 38 explores the uncharted lyrical side of an instrument usually relegated to humorous or grotesque effects in large orchestral works.
His festive Sonatina in F major for Piccolo Clarinet, Op. His richly melodic, high-stepping Sonata in A minor for Clarinet and Piano moves with a ballet-like rhythmic verve. Most clarinet and piano works by major composers are for the B-flat clarinet, so Blackwood took a different tack by writing for the Clarinet in A and the E-flat piccolo clarinet. “Blackwood has perfect understanding of what the instrument does well and how to make the best of it.” “These are pieces worth playing, worth mastering,” Yeh says. Both Blackwood works were written for John Bruce Yeh, assistant principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who performs on the album with Blackwood. Composer and pianist Easley Blackwood expands the repertoire with two accessible yet substantial works written in 1994 and receiving their recording debuts on this CD. It’s hard to find noteworthy music for clarinet and piano, not to mention accessible contemporary compositions.
0 kommentar(er)
