Various Artists - Classic Clarinet - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Ian Mitchell is a leading performer on all members of the clarinet family and has made recordings with most of them. He has also led Gemini for many years, bringing the ensemble to the top of the tree especially in contemporary chamber music. This album of works for clarinet and strings arose from a prize in the 1993 Prudential Awards, which provided initial funding to record three major but neglected works, by Cyril Scott, Howard Skempton and Rebecca Clarke, together with more recent pieces by Sadie Harrison and Nicola LeFanu and jazz legend Tony Coe. This is not a clarinet feature disc however, but a program of fine works involving that instrument 'in the mix'. Added to the album as a bonus is Skempton's Gemini Dances which adds flute, piano and percussion. Gemini has a very strong following for both recordings and concerts, and since it's formation in 1974 has developed a reputation for the highest levels of musicianship and immense support for contemporary composers. Album Tracks 1. Clarinet Quintet for clarinet and string quartet 2. Songs without Words for clarinet, violin, viola, cello~I. A Far Cry 3. Songs without Words for clarinet, violin, viola, cello~II. No Paseran 4. Songs without Words for clarinet, violin, viola, cello~III. Catalunya! 5. Songs without Words for clarinet, violin, viola, cello~IV. Remembrance 6. Lullaby for clarinet and cello 7. Dream Odyssey for clarinet and string quartet~I. Marsh Lanterns 8. Dream Odyssey for clarinet and string quartet~II. The Pathless Wood 9. Dream Odyssey for clarinet and string quartet~III. Bird of Fortune 10. Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale for clarinet and viola~I. Prelude 11. Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale for clarinet and viola~II. Allegro 12. Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale for clarinet and viola~III. Pastorale 13. Fire in Song for clarinet, viola, 2 clapstick-playing narrators~I. Th

Michael Collins MBE is one of the most complete musicians of his generation. Continuing his distinguished career as a soloist, he has in recent years also become highly regarded as a conductor and in 2010 took up the position as Principal Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia, and works with leading orchestras around the world both as a soloist and as a conductor. Committed for many years to expanding the repertoire of the clarinet, he has premiered works by some of today's most highly regarded composers, including John Adams, Elliott Carter, Brett Dean and Mark-Anthony Turnage. In addition to commissioning and supporting new compositions, he is also a champion of well-crafted arrangements of other works for the clarinet. It is this area of his work that is so vividly demonstrated in this Chandos series the Lyrical Clarinet, of which this is the third volume. Most of the arrangements on this album were made by pianist Michael McHale, who accompanies on the recording. Album Tracks 1. Clair de Lune 2. Liebesleid 3. Fantaisie 4. Sicilienne 5. Sicilienne, Op. 78 6. SCHÖN Rosmarin 7. Après Un Rêve, Op. 7 No. 1 8. Lied Ohne Worte, Op. 38 No. 2 9. Träumerei, Op. 15 No. 7 10. Liebestraum No. 3, S 541 11. La Fille Aux Cheveux de Lin 12. Hungarian Dance No. 1 13. Le Cygne 14. Sonata, M 8

I have always leaned towards this repertoire, says Jonathan Gunn. This album represents Gunn's love for French music, which he programs on almost every concert. Gunn's love for this music is made clear in his sensitive, probing performances. Jonathan Gunn is a versatile artist with a varied career as educator, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. Currently, Mr. Gunn serves as the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas, Austin. Born in Sheffield, England, Mr. Gunn started his musical career playing violin and piano and began studying the clarinet after moving to the United States at age eleven. He received a Bachelor of Music from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and a Master of Music from the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University. Jonathan is married to Jennifer Gunn, who plays piccolo and flute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Album Tracks 1. Canzonetta, Op. 19 2. Sonata for Clarinet and Piano 3. Première Rhapsodie 4. Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 167 5. Abime Des Oiseaux from InchQuatour Pour la Fin Du TempsInch 6. Introduction Et Rondo, Op. 72