Click over Logo to Home Page
April 2012 Hot News
30 April 2012
Zurich, Switzerland
From Matthias Mueller, President of the
ECA
The below galleries continue the contents of the full newsletter
given its extensive content.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 April 2012
Ohio University 10th
Clarinet Gala - Dr Rebecca Rischin, Director
Athens, Ohio USA
On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Ohio University hosted its tenth clarinet gala, a
full day of clarinet events for all ages and interests. Teachers, students,
parents, amateurs, and professionals attended. New this year was the
inauguration of the Honors Clarinet Choir, featuring outstanding high school
students selected competitively through live and recorded auditions from all
over Ohio. All events took place in Robert Glidden Hall, the School of Music, on
the campus of Ohio University in Athens.
The featured guest artists were Kelly Burke and Anthony Taylor, both professors
of clarinet at the Univeristy of North Carolina-Greensboro. They presented a
wonderful master class featuring Ohio University students, and a super recital
with pianist James Douglass, featuring works by Burgmuller, McAllister, Mandat,
and Rutty.
In addition to Burke and Taylor's recital and master class, the day included a
master class with Rebecca Rischin, Professor of Clarinet at Ohio University,
featuring students from the Honors Clarinet Choir, and a host recital featuring
Rischin performing works by Tower and Carnicer y Battle. The Honors Clarinet
Choir presented a fantastic concert performing works by Cardon and Mozart.
Joining them for the last piece on the program were Burke and Taylor, who
performed Mendelssohn's Concertpiece No. 2 with clarinet choir accompaniment.
Current Ohio University students and guests of the gala also participated in
this last piece. The day ended with a big pizza party.
Hear the
Grand Finale Honors Clarinet Choir 2012 Concert!
20 - 21 April 2012
Chicago Clarinet
Collaborations with Guest Artists Jon Manasse
(Solo Clarinetist in the New York City Ballet Orchestra, The Mostly Mozart
Orchestra, Faculty at the Juilliard School and the Eastman School of Music), and
Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr and the Verdehr Trio, at Northeast Illinois University, Dr
Rose Sperrazza, Director with Performance with the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble
Chicago, Illinois USA
The weekend of these dates featured the famed Chicago Clarinet Ensemble with VIP
Director Rose Sperrazza with two major Clarinet icons, both Artist VIP's Jon
Manasse with renowned Pianist Jon Nakamatsu, and Dr Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr and her
Violinist husband Walter Verdehr participating in Master Classes each and
special concerts, all posted in this summary in the galleries. Every
time there is an event like this, the performance standard is quite outstanding
with what is offered to everyone who comes and this is no exception.
Students who played the classes could see their improvement technically and
musically as they were paced intensely by Mr Manasse and Dr Verdehr. There
was also a Master Class done for pianists with Jon Nakamatsu, with near
spectacular results with the pianists participating. One incredible
pianistic quality from Nakamatsu was the dynamic power at the keyboard and the
students sensed it like the attending audience. The Manasse Duo with him makes
the whole scene very special.
Jon
Manasse Master Class
Elsa
Ludewig-Verdehr Master Class
Katherine
Pirtle Reedual Seminar
Along with the classes and the two concerts, there was a seminar on Reed making
using the Reedual machine invented and sold for years by Goerge Crossman, who
recently passed away. Katherine Pirtle, a professional Orchestral player
and teacher, gave an extensive presentation and thorough demonstration on the
whole reed process using this machine with participants involved. Now that
Crossman is gone, serious efforts are being done to see that this machine
continues to be available with her and associates.
Although this was only a two day event, it was well worth the coming in for it.
Because of the Chicago Symphony Russian tour, John Bruce Yeh, the Co-Director
and Clarinet Ensemble Conductor, was unable to be here this weekend, but the
show went on without a hitch thanks to Rose Sperrazza and students supporting
this effort. At the Final Concert consisting of ensemble music and the
Clarinet Choir, David Tuttle conducted a memorial tribute to the late Lorin
Levee, Solo Clarinetist in the Los Angeles Philharmonic who passed away in
February by Percy Grainger. On the Clarinet Ensemble concert, the
Verdehrs performed a Concerto for Violin and Clarinet, scored from a String
Orchestra to Clarinet Ensemble by James Niblock, composer at Michigan State
University. Of interest, the Verdehr Trio
next year will have been active for 40 years, in the performance and
commissioning of new works by major composers to expand the repertoire for
Violin, Clarinet, and Piano and other combinations, a major feat for any
ensemble. Several volumes of recordings have been produced, and it is
hoped this will increase performance and appreciation of this work.
It
is so important for players and students to be acutely aware and attend as many
of these events as possible to broaden their concepts and inspire their self
improvement. Credit is always out to those who pay a high price in
effort to make these activities possible.
16 April 2012
Clarinetist Amitai Vardi, an avid soloist, Orchestral, and
Chamber musician, recently appointed Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Kent
State University
Kent, Ohio USA
Clarinetist Amitai Vardi, an avid soloist, orchestral, and chamber musician, was
recently appointed Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Kent State University.
Vardi made his solo debut at the age of sixteen with the Madison Symphony
Orchestra as a first place winner of the Steenbock Young Artist Competition. He
has since won several concerto competitions, including the Round Top
International Festival Competition, The Cleveland Institute of Music Concerto
Competition, and the Agnes Fowler Competition. In addition, Vardi has been a
featured soloist with the Spoleto Symphony Orchestra, and performed the North
American premiere of Srul Glick's concerto, The Klezmer's Wedding, with
members of the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Vardi began his studies with Eva Wasserman-Margolis, James Smith, and Linda
Bartley. He later received his Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University,
where he studied with Eli Eban, and his Master of Music degree at The Cleveland
Institute of Music, as a student of Franklin Cohen. Mr. Vardi pursued his post-
graduate studies with Yehuda Gilad in Los Angeles.
Vardi has extensive teaching experience both at the college level and with
youth. Since 2008, Vardi has been on the faculty at the University of Akron
teaching both clarinet and chamber music. During that period he has also been
the Director and Conductor of CityMusic Kids, an El Sistema program in
inner-city Cleveland.
His enthusiasm for chamber music has led to performances across the United
States, South America, Europe, and his native Israel. Vardi is a member of the
Black Squirrel Winds featuring the woodwind faculty at Kent State University. He
is featured in several chamber music CDs, and later this year will appear on a
recording with his father, cellist Uri Vardi.
As an orchestral player, Vardi served as principal clarinetist of Red {an
orchestra}, and Lyric Opera Cleveland. He currently holds positions with Opera
Cleveland, Blue Water Chamber Orchestra, City Music Cleveland, and Blossom Band
and Orchestra. Vardi has performed with many orchestras, including the American
Ballet Theatre, Jeoffrey Ballet, The Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and the
Cleveland Orchestra, with which he performed dozens of concerts and has toured
to New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Miami.
10 - 13 April 2012
International Masterclass Apeldoorn 2012 with
Charles Neidich
Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
For some years World Class Clarinetist Charles Neidich has been involved in
world tour Master Classes and Festivals and judging Competitions in addition to
his performance activities in New York including the New York Woodwind Quintet,
the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and his teaching at several major Schools such as
Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, etc. The
Apeldoorn Masterclass just held involved interaction with many of the most
promising advanced players with a future waiting to open up for them. The
above galleries atest to the personal commitment shown in Mr Neidich's
activities. Many of the most successful students were and are
students of Mr Neidich, who appears to be the next Higher bar in performance
after his teacher Leon Russianoff. Of interest, Charles Neidich
teamed up and co-designed a new Clarinet in Bamberg, Germany with the firm
Schwenk & Seggelke resulting in the C1000 Clarinet with French bore with many
tech improvements. He plays on a Boxwood model which produces a very warm
sound and suitable for Soloist and Chamber Music. These Clarinets
are hand made and must be ordered in advance. Such quality cannot be mass
produced.
13 April 2012
7th Millersville University
Single Reed Symposium - Dr Christy Banks Director
Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA
The 7th Single Reed Symposium held at this University under Dr Christy Banks,
Clarinet Professor here, with a fine Artist Faculty including Anthony Costa from
Penn State University, Beverly Butts, Faith Shiffer, and Michele Gingras from
Miami University in Ohio, who is an authority on Klezmer Music, and Russell
Peterson, from Concordia Cillege in Indiana and an authority on Jazz
Improvization and a fabulous virtuoso. All these teachers and performers
were availed all day for Master Classes, Seminars on their key subject area, and
gave outstanding performances. All events took place at the Ware Center in
the middle of Lancaster away from the main campus, a facility with an
outstanding hall and many areas for rehearsal and classroom space.
This day covered both Clarinet and Saxophone with classes simultaneous to cater
for those interested in the instruments. The above photo galleries give an
insight about the happenings all day.
Anthony
Costa Master Class
Michele
Gingras Klezmer Class
Master classes given by Anthony Costa and Michele Gingras covered
diverse areas including fundamentals and individual attention to the issues from
each student. Ms Gingras held a major class fully covering some history of
Klezmer, referencing the great Giora Feidman (King of klezmer) who in fact
rejuvonated the interest in performance of this music.
The US
Army Field Band Sax Quartet
Faith
Shiffer in Recital and Millersville Clarinet Choir and Saxophone Choir
Christy
Banks with Millersville University Big Band (Artie Shaw Concerto and Russell
Peterson Trio
Several performances during the day included recitals from Ms Gingras,
Anthony Costa, a Clarinet Quartet with the above Clarinet faculty, The US Army
Field Band Saxophone Quartet, and in the evening the Millersville Big Band
performing their program including the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto with Christy
Banks as soloist.
As intangible as things seem, not much can be said except that the participants
who came surely benefited from the total experience being with such great
artist/teachers and witnessing great performance which hopefully will follow
them to new levels of performance and quality perceptions. Great credit is
owing to Dr Banks and the faculty and students supporting this program.
10 April 2012
Scott McAllister - Epic Concerto World Premiere - SSG Timothy
Sutfin,
The US Army Band (Pershings' Own)
- 10 April 2012
Fort Myer, Virginia USA
SSG Tim Sutfin Premieres New Work for
Clarinet
On Tuesday, April 10, 2012,
at 7:30pm, SSG Tim Sutfin performed the
world premiere of a new work for clarinet and piano by the American
composer Scott McAllister, as part of the Army Band-hosted Brucker
Hall Chamber Music Series.
The new concerto, given the
title "Epic Concerto" by the composer, is the result of a
co-commission by 11 professional clarinetists. At nearly an hour in
length, the piece is conceived as an entire recital program divided
into seven movements. McAllister intended the work to be either
performed in its entirety, or with individual movements performed as
stand-alone works.
"The Epic Concerto is
inspired by some of my life experiences as a clarinetist and
composer," writes McAllister in a note included in the score. The
seven movements draw on influences from former teachers and
legendary clarinet performers.
Several "premieres" of the
work have been planned, but Sutfin will give the official world
premiere at the April 10 concert. In August, he will travel to
Lincoln, NE, to perform the first three
movements of the piece, alongside other clarinetists involved in the
commission (who will perform the remaining movements), at the
International Clarinet Association's Clarinet-Fest.
Timothy Sutfin was joined by
pianist SSG Yalin Chi of the
U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point.
Live audio from the event will be broadcast via www.usarmyband.com.
SSG Timothy Sutfin has been a member of The U.S. Army Band
"Pershing’s Own" since 2010. Prior to joining The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's
Own", SSG Sutfin began his military career in 2008 as the Eb clarinetist with
The United States Military Academy Band at West Point. In addition to a
successful military career, SSG Sutfin served as second clarinet with the
Oklahoma City Philharmonic from 2005-2008. He has also performed with the
Richmond Symphony, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Winston-Salem Symphony, Texas
Festival Orchestra, Quartz Mountain Music Festival Orchestra, and served on the
faculty at Oklahoma City University from 2007 to 2008. SSG Sutfin received a
Bachelor of Music Magna cum Laude from Northwestern University in 2004, and a
Master of Music with High Honors from Oklahoma City University in 2007. His
primary teachers include Russell Dagon, Jane Carl, Charlene Zimmerman and Chad
Burrow.
4 April 2012
Mika Yoshida and Richard Stoltzman
at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall performing Classic/Jazz
New York City USA
by Mike Engle
Although a "new
genre" of music was not necessarily invented
on Wednesday night, I had the pleasure of
witnessing a uniquely memorable concert at
the intimate
Weill Recital Hall. While the
headliners, marimbast
Mika Yoshida and clarinetist
Richard Stoltzman, are best known as
classical musicians, they played
compositions by jazz luminaries such as
Keith Jarrett,
Mike Mainieri, and
Chick Corea. Filling out the stage were
jazz bassist
Eddie Gomez, drummer
Steve Gadd, and Mainieri playing
vibraphone on his "Copland Revisited."
With the exception of the Keith Jarrett
piece, which was written for Stoltzman in
1987, all of the songs were written and/or
arranged for this occasion. Highlights
included Chick's "Marika Groove," Oshima's "Chanson
de l'amour," and Kazunori Maruyama's
arrangement of "Rhapsody in Blue," which
added vibraphonist Mihye Kim to the quartet.
Stoltzman recounted that for the last 35
years, his manager was constantly
encouraging him to perform "Rhapsody";
Stoltzman continuously resisted, claiming:
"It's a piano concerto! What am I going to
do, just play the gliss? It's a famous gliss,
but it's just a gliss!" Here, Stoltzman's
part felt far more substantial.
Even though there was a souvenir program,
assigned seating, and a precisely scheduled
intermission, Stoltzman and Yoshida managed
to achieve something of a successful
marriage between classical and jazz. Judging
by the audience's roaring approval, it was
simply great music that was completely
worthy of the Carnegie Hall stage. (Set list
after the jump.)
Set list (first half):
- "Terra Cotta (1987)" by Keith
Jarrett: mba/cl/b/dr
- "Shout" by Tamar Muskal: mba/cl
- "Marcos Valle Suite" arr. Patrick
Wilkins: mba/cl/b/dr
- "Beco" by Marcos Valle: mba/cl/b/dr
+ unidentified guitarist
- "Marika Groove" by Chick Corea: mba/cl/b/dr
Set list (second half):
- "Mostly Blues" by William Thomas
McKinley: mba/cl
- "Chanson de l'amour" by
Michiru Oshima: mba/cl/b
- "Rhapsody in Blue" arr. Kazunori
Maruyama: mba/cl/b/dr + vibraphonist
Mihye Kim
- "Copland Revisited" by Mike Mainieri:
mba/cl/b/dr + vibraphonist Mike Mainieri
- Encore: "Marika Groove"
Copyright © 1999 WKA-Clarinet.org. All rights reserved.
Revised: February 03, 2013