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July 2013 Hot
News
24 - 28 July 2013
ClarinetFest 2013 - VIP's Piero Vincenti and
Antonio Fraioli, Directors, in Collaboration with the International
Clarinet Association - ICA and
the City of Assisi, Italy
Assisi, Italy
In this historic Catholic City known for religious pilgrimages celebrating St
Francis of Assisi, with the many Holy places including a major Bassilica,
this major Clarinet Festival, led by VIP Piero
Vincenti with substantial collaborations with the
International Clarinet Association - ICA
and the City of Assisi, with an attendance during these five days of over 1500
participants from all over the world, was a major success with over a hundred
recital and concert performances, many times with four simultaneous events
concurrent in as many as five locations throughout the city. One had to
make choices so they could attend their desired programs which was almost
impossible to do, no less the huge Exhibitions covering three floors with all
the major Clarinet makers, accessory makers, publishers, many with their chief
Officers in attendance. At these areas, time seems to be
static as most everyone is trying products and browsing all the areas.
Many previously unknown exhibitors made a strong showing with innovative new
products including clarinets, mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures, etc. After
the five days, everyone involved was certainly exhausted from all this intense
activity. The contained galleries give a rather complete idea of the
extensiveness of what was seen and enjoyed. What makes this
Festival (held in Europe every 3 years) is the reunion and meet new people
aspect which opens doors to further contact and growth. As a major tourist
city, housing was all over town in numerous hotels. The City though
its mayor made available all performance facilities for free which certainly
helped the success. A major key supporter of this entire program credits
to Buffet Group in Paris who
underwrote a major part of this project. One of the major evening concerts
was a Buffet Gala Artist performance with Artists from all over Europe.
Jazz Concert with VIP Eddie Daniels and Ron Odrich
Assisi Police Band Concert with Soloists including Piero Vincenti and Corriedo
Guifredi
As can be seen throughout this summary, many of the top Clarinet legends such as
VIP Ricardo Morales (Solo Clarinet in the
Philadelphia Orchestra), VIP Alessandro Carbonare
(Solo Clarinetist in the St Cecelia Orchestra in Rome and the Lucerne Festival
Orchestra under Claudio Abbado), VIP Eddy
Vanoosthuyse (Solo Clarinetist in the Brussels Philharmonic, World Class
Soloist and Professor at the Conservatory in Ghent, Belgium), Senior VIP and Jazz legend
Eddie Daniels with Ronnie Odrich, and current great players were here
performing chamber music, Jazz, Concerti with the Festival Orchestra and the
Assisi Police Band, giving Master Classes, and giving Recitals, any with
interesting themes and dedications, especially to Hans Rudolf Stalder, a legend
player from Switzerland, performed by
European Clarinet
Association - ECA President and VIP Matthias
Mueller, Celeste Zewald (Amsterdam), and
Philippe Cuper (Solo Clarinet in the Paris Opera).
Senior VIP and Berlin Philharmonic legend Karl Leister
performed the Mozart Clarinet Quintet K581 and made a major Master Class.
Many more, too many to name, made great performances. After the evening
performances, social interaction ensued in the City Center at the cafes.
Toward the last day, a special mini-concert conducted by Director Vincenti was
held at the Assisi City Center with 300+ clarinetists performing, maybe a
addition to the Guinness Book of Records considering the event.
As can be expected with a pathological population of Clarinetists here, Clarinet
Ensembles including Clarinet Quartets, Clarinet Choirs, and Chamber
ensembles performed all week, with the Final day engrossed with several
ensembles, including a special number of Faculty Clarinet Choirs from the
Italian Players, the American Faculty Professor Clarinet Choir from the ICA
representing 21 States in the USA, a combined ensemble, the the Festival Mass
Clarinet Choir.
This Festival will be remembered as one of the most successful events for the
ICA, and credit involving all aspects, Artistic, Logistical, and positive
inter-involvement, and a tribute to Director Piero Vincenti, his volunteer
staff, the ICA, a project five years in the planning. He has been
officially recognized for his efforts with a special award from the ICA signed
by the top Officers. The next ClarinetFest will be held at Louisiana State
University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with VIP
Robert DiLutis as Director, dates July 30 - August 3 2014.
22 July 2013
Clarinet Summer
School (ARCS) - Andrew Roberts, Director
Hope University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
ARCS Clarinet Academy 2013 review
ARCS
Clarinet Academy 2013 group
Following on from 16 years of The Clarinet Summer School, the first ever ARCS
Clarinet Academy took place at the end of July 2013. This year's event, although
smaller in numbers, proved to be highly successful, with the students
benefitting from more one to one time and more performance opportunities.
My thanks go to all involved, especially Brad Behn for his relaxed approach to
playing and his knowledge and enthusiasm for teaching, in addition to the rare
opportunity that he offered for personalised advice and customisation of
mouthpieces, including his outstanding models.
Peter Glenville has been involved with these courses from the very start. His
infectious enthusiasm was a huge help with the ensembles he coached and I thank
him for the advice he was on hand to offer on everything clarinet related! It is
the support of friends like Peter that has allowed the course to develop. My
heartfelt thanks go to him for all his efforts to support the course.
Over the last few years Caroline Smith has been the official accompanist for our
course and has always been willing to sight read any music we care to put in
front of her fantastically well. In addition she is able to contribute views on
the students’ performances, which are helpful, considerate and tolerant! My
thanks go to her again for her continuing role with the Academy.
My final thanks go to the students who attended this year. It was a pleasure and
a privilege to work with such keen and talented young people. I hope you will
all keep in touch and we hope to see you in Liverpool again in the future and do
check out the pictures from the course below.
Andy R
Testing instruments on the Academy |
Peter coaching a quartet |
Brad in a one 2 one with Lauren |
Academy meal out! |
Past students have enjoyed past courses, here is what they have to
say...
“IThere isn't much Andrew Roberts doesn't know about the mechanics of the
clarinet and how to play it. At the annual Clarinet Summer School in Liverpool
he shares this knowledge with enthusiasm and generosity. I have been to four
Summer Schools and always come away energised and with lots of ideas about how
to improve my playing. More recently his Clarinet Service provided an excellent
service.”
Jenny Dale, New Mills
“Andrew, I have finally have a few minutes since returning home to send a
short email to you regarding the Summer School. I can't thank you enough for a
wonderful week of meeting new people and focusing in on clarinet specific issues
in a way that I have never experienced before.
I have taken away a great deal of knowledge and information which has increased
my clarinet-playing skills incredibly. I can hear a substantial difference in my
sound compared to how I played before attending the course.
Thanks again for a wonderful experience and I look forward to being able to
attend another Summer School whenever you end up putting one on again.”
Brad Gresham, Campbellville, Ontario, Canada
“I attended The Clarinet Summer School in 2000. Then, I had some fundamental
embouchure and technical problems. Now I am training with the City of Birmingham
Symphony Orchestra. The course speaks for itself- START SAVING.”
Ciaran O’Donnel ,
Belfast, Northern Ireland
“Many thanks to the organisers of the 2004 Clarinet Summer School, which
once again provided us all with a wonderful week of clarinet-related activities
and opportunities!
I can't emphasise enough how much I have learnt from attending this course - the
tutors do their utmost to enable everyone to achieve their full potential, and
are unfailingly friendly and approachable.
The 'master class' format which was used in at least one session every day gave
us all the chance to play to and listen to others, and to absorb a great deal of
valuable information - even if we may not have realised it at the time!
The 'one-to-one' sessions, when we were given the opportunity to book some
individual time with the tutors, were always extremely helpful, and I feel that
in this respect the tutors actually go well above and beyond the call of duty -
individual tuition at no extra cost does not generally feature on any other
music courses I've been on!
One of the week's highlights for me was our clarinet choir's performance in the
foyer of the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool on the final evening of the course,
which gave a welcome focus to our ensemble efforts. It's only now when I come to
write about it that I realise how full our days actually were. Although nothing
was compulsory, most people were keen to attend all the sessions available,
including a film and talk about clarinet production (a real eye-opener!), a talk
on clarinet-related health issues, a demonstration of the principles of the
Alexander Technique, a CD listening session comparing different playing styles
and an inspirational tutors' concert.
I'd recommend this course highly to anyone who has an interest in the clarinet -
I shall certainly be back next year for more!”
Joanna Brown, London
21 July 2013
THE
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA premieres the "II CONCERTO "for
Clarinet and Symphony Orchestra by
composer Oscar Navarro with Senior VIP and Solo
Clarinetist
Franklin Cohen
at the Blossom Music Festival
with James Feddeck,
Conductor
Blossom Music Festival with The Cleveland Orchestra
USA
Renowned and Cleveland Orchestra icon Franklin Cohen performed a premiere of a
major Clarinet Concerto to a standing ovation audience of several thousand who
attended this Blossom Cleveland event. What is interesting about Mr
Cohen's track record with this Orchestra is the frequency of solo performances,
numbering over 200 during his career since 1976 with as many as two appearances
per year, more than any other member of the Orchestra. Together with his
ChamberFest Cleveland project, now past its 2nd successful year with superstar
artists, noted as a premiere series of concerts in Cleveland, the
accomplishment is breathtaking for its energy and musical proactivity. The
only parallel is his teacher Stanley Drucker from the
New York Philharmonic.
In addition to this, he has been on the jury of the Munich International
Competition this past year along with jurors Karl Leister, Sabine Meyer, Kari Kriiku, and others, and the only one of them who actually won the 1st Prize ever
awarded at this Competition when he won it in 1968. In November Mr Cohen
will be a judge at the Beijing Clarinet Competition in China.
by Guytano
Parks
The
weather couldn’t have been any better for last Sunday evening’s concert at
Blossom Music Center and the musical fare was just as delightful as The
Cleveland Orchestra under assistant conductor James Feddeck (replacing the
originally scheduled Robert Porco) presented a concert featuring The Blossom
Festival Chorus, three stellar operatic vocalists and clarinet soloist
Franklin Cohen.
John Williams wrote his Liberty
Fanfare to commemorate the
1986 centenary of New York’s iconic Statue of Liberty. This short, exuberant
piece opened the program, setting an optimistic mood with bold playing by
the brass, soaring melodies by the strings and rhythmic impetus by the
percussion. Feddeck conducted this, as well as the second offering by
Williams, a suite of three pieces from the recent Spielberg film Lincoln,
with a keen sense of mood and dramatic understanding. The orchestra
responded superbly to his every gesture and nuance as the scenes unfolded.
The first of the scenes, The
People’s House, harkened back to a bygone era with its contemplative
character, simple melody and comforting sound of the piano, played by Joela
Jones. Jung-Min Amy Lee, serving as concertmaster this evening, displayed
some mighty fine country fiddling chops as she opened the second scene, Getting
out the Vote. Excitement, determination and anticipation were conveyed
in this driving dance-like section. Richard Weiss’s playing of the opening
cello solo in the last scene of the set, With
Malice Toward None, was lovely and the gradual swelling of the violins
and addition of the other sections of the orchestra built to richness and
grandeur.
Reminiscent of the gypsy rhapsodies of other composers in content and form,
Oscar Navarro’s II Concerto
for Clarinet and orchestra served
as the vehicle for soloist Franklin Cohen, principal clarinet of The
Cleveland Orchestra since 1976. In one movement consisting of three main
sections — fast-slow-fast —
this attractive and accessible piece teemed with all that is Spanish,
including some hand-clapping in the flamenco vein.
The
beautifully hushed opening, sparse in its orchestration, created a mystical
aura above which the soloist soared in an improvisatory fashion. Later, the
sound of a muted trumpet, percussion effects which evoked a galloping horse,
plus lush and sweeping sonorities created an air of cavalier abandon as the
soloist wove in and out of the texture. Cohen carried us away with him on
his journey, traversing the musical landscape with his usual and reliable
musicianship in the expressive sections and with great virtuosity in the
sections with whirling figurations, convincingly conveying the composer’s
intent. Feddeck and the band rode out that journey as well with the utmost
of rapport.
Three Spirituals arranged for unaccompanied chorus by Moses Hogan made quite
an impression after intermission. No surprise, though, as The Blossom
Festival Chorus, prepared by Lisa Wong, is known for its impeccable diction
and pitch-perfect delivery. A surging and dynamic My
Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord began
the set, followed by Harry Dixon Loes’s This
Little Light of Mine, notable for its poignant and wordless oohs and
aahs under soprano Laquita Mitchell and baritone Eric Greene’s solos. The
traditional I Can Tell the
World shimmered with a
concentrated, harmonious sound, full of punctuating consonants and an
exciting manipulation of dynamics. Feddeck conducted with clarity and
command, successfully coaxing every last drop of expressiveness from the
choristers.
Considered by many to be his crowning achievement, George Gershwin’s opera, Porgy
and Bess, is based on DuBose
Heyward’s 1924 novel Porgy.The
libretto is by Heyward, who also collaborated with Ira Gershwin on the
lyrics. This concert version of its highlights was arranged and orchestrated
by Robert Russell Bennett. A brief and vigorous Introduction by the
orchestra set the scene for the first aria, “Summertime.” Soprano Laquita
Mitchell, in the role of Bess, sang this tender lullaby (sung by Clara in
the opera) in a clear and radiant voice, projecting effortlessly above the
orchestra. Baritone Eric Greene, as Porgy, delivered a driving “A Woman Is a
Sometime Thing,” followed by “Gone, Gone, Gone” by chorus, Mitchell and
Greene.
Mitchell
was powerful and heart-wrenching in her interpretation of “My Man’s Gone
Now,” wailing away at the end with ascending and descending vocal slides.
Mitchell and the chorus then sang an optimistic “Promised Land” before
Greene launched into a charmingly contented “Oh, I Got Plenty o’ Nothin’ ”
with a banjo adding to the folksiness.
“Bess, You
Is My Woman Now” had an intoxicating lilt, endearingly giddy with a certain
naivety. Greene and Mitchell luxuriated and swooned as Porgy and Bess,
professing their love for one another as Feddeck and the orchestra was
attentive to their every nuance.
Then the
Chorus sang an exciting “Oh, I Can’t Sit Down” before tenor Rodrick Dixon,
as Sportin’ Life, entered the scene with a bad boy swagger preaching “It
Ain’t necessarily So” with his sentiments echoed by the chorus. Dixon was
dynamic, amusingly remaining in character as he sanctimoniously sat back
down before singing “There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York.”
Concluding with a rousing “Oh Lawd, I’m on My Way,” Greene and the chorus
brought to a close Bennett’s masterful orchestration with three of the
opera’s main characters and chorus telling the story of the people of
Catfish Row, by the docks of Charleston.
As the
appreciative audience applauded and cheered, Feddeck led orchestra, chorus
and vocal soloists in a reverent and soaring encore,America The Beautiful,
arranged by Carmen Dragon.
The
Cleveland Orchestra played brilliantly, illuminating all of the inherent
jazziness and seriousness in Gershwin’s colorful score. And thus, on this
brilliant note, James Feddeck nears the end of his fourth and final year as
assistant conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra and music director of The
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra with a legacy of highly distinguished
and memorable performances to his credit. With deep appreciation and
fondness, Cleveland says: Bravo, Maestro, and thank you!
Published on
ClevelandClassical.com July 24, 2013
15 - 20 July 2013
7th
Buffet Summer Clarinet Academy - with World Class VIP Faculty of Five posted
above - Performing Organization Chairman
Mitchell Estrin and VIP Matt Vance, Directors - held at the University of
North Florida in Jacksonville - 15 - 20 July 2013
Jacksonville, Florida USA
This 7th Summer Clarinet Academy, hosted by Buffet Crampon Group USA at the
University of Northern Florida, has been a world class training ground for
20 pre-selected players from all over the USA. Listed faculty
represent the pinnacle of the clarinet and teaching fields, including WKA
Artist Officer VIP's Stanley Drucker (New York Philharmonic), Daniel Gilbert
(former 2nd Clarinetist in the Cleveland Orchestra and Professor at the
University of Michigan), Andre Moisan, (Bass Clarinetist and Conductor in
the Symphonique Montreal), Jonathan Gunn (Acting Solo Clarinetist in the
Cincinatti Symphony), and Ixi Chen (2nd Clarinetist in the Cincinatti
Symphony and Professor at the Cincinatti Conservatory).
Daniel Gilbert Master Class
Andre Moisan Master Class
Ixi Chen Class with Mitchel Estrin
Jonathan Gunn Master Class
Bruce Markin and the Tech Maintenance Classes
Students at Buffet Headquarters trying Instruments and Barrels along with
Faculty
All enrolled were given a lesson with each of the faculty over the five
days, with daily afternoon master classes and concert and social activities
during the evenings. In addition, Clarinet technical training was
given by Senior Artisan and VIP Bruce Marking, who supervised the students'
taking their clarinets apart to clean, check for leaks, cracks, mechanical
issues, and then put their clarinets back together and be inspected.
This training is invaluable for all to be able to troubleshoot and future
problems they may face in their work. Recitals included a Faculty
recital, two student recitals performing music they have prepared in their
lessons and master classes, a day off where they visited the Buffet USA
Headquarters to try and if interested buy instruments, barrels including the
new Icon Barrels just introduced, and see how extensive this activity is.
Tour was conducted by VIP Matt Vance, Woodwind Product Manager.
Facilities at this University were outstanding in layout of Practice rooms
which were assigned for each student, faculty teaching studios, and fine
performance Recital Halls for concerts. Efforts to make this
week unique is housing the students and faculty in quality Hotels near the
campus, with a shuttle to drive them to and from the University each day.
On a personal note, at a evening gala dinner for faculty and friends
with the Buffet Group heads, celebrated the great success of this program
with recognitions and appreciations for the great faculty, and Mike Getzin,
Founder and CEO of the Clarinet Alliance, was publically recognized and
presented from Buffet USA President and CEO (and Artist VIP) Francois Kloc,
a surprise gift of a Buffet Clarinet Case autographed by the entire faculty
and Buffet Officers, and a choice of any clarinet to place in the case to be
picked at the Headquarters. Enough to take one's breath away.
Stanley Drucker and Andre Moisan and the others assisted in picking out the
instrument. This is a very high indication of Buffet's generous
commitment to players and those who support the growth of the clarinet
field. I will be never the same after this Buffet July surprise.
Organizing and carrying such a monster project as this is a momentous
logistical task carried out by the talent of organization well demonstrated
by Mitchell Estrin, Matt Vance, Mary Baxter, Francois Kloc and others at the
Buffet Group USA who made this program a stellar event which changed lives
for the participants, many of whom were major talents with a future waiting
for them. Therenare other programs of high value around the
country and Internationally, and serious players should be on the lookout to
get involved and make these priority events to go to. The
Directors deserve great credit for this program. Keep calendars
open in July to make this Academy where the legends of the instrument reside
for 5 days.
11 - 13 July 2013
The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own)
Alumni Concerts and Weekend Activities with former historic members dating back
three generations, giving concerts at the US Capitol and at the Home Base at
Brucker Hall at Fort Myer, Virginia - Colonel Thomas
Palmatier, Leader and Commander
Washington DC and Ft Myer, Virginia USA
What has come to be a looked forward annual event involving veterans and former
members of this Premiere Band arriving from all over the US, the 3 day event
involving intensive rehearsal preparation for 2 concerts, receptions, and social
interactions, has become a very meaningful tradition celebrating the heritage of
this organization spanning over 3 generations of members. No one would
know who may not return as the aging members may pass away and many want to see
old colleagues they have served with in the past years and recounting their band
experience under the several Commanders who were there. Many stories
to recall. Many Band organizations hold similar reunions which binds together
the Bands and their alumnus.
Concerts were held at the US Capitol, and the second night because of weather
held at Brucker Hall to an huge audience. Colonel Thomas Palmatier, Leader
and Commander, along with former Commander Colonel Bryan Shelbourne (Retired),
and Command Sergeant Major Mitchell Spray, conducted with Soloists from the
Alumni including flutist Marilyn Harris, and many others. Concerts were
balanced between standard Band repertoire, Solo show pieces, and Patriotic
Music. Veterans from each of the Armed Services were honored and thanked
for service with music.
It is an open invitation each year for former members to come and be a part of
this tradition. The Alumni organization, the US Army Band Alumni
Association www.TUSABAA.org
encourages inquiries and membership and interacting. A very
important annual show.
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rights reserved.
Revised: December 12, 2013