Various Artists - For Clarinet & Strings - 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