Volume 33 Number 3 June 2006 - International Clarinet Association

Page 14
by William Nichols
Composers Recordings, Inc. (CRI),
founded in 1954, was for nearly
50 years, by their own description,
“America’s premier new music label.”
Sadly the label ceased operation
about three years ago. Its collection of
20th-century repertoire, almost exclusively
American, is immense and diversified
in style and medium. CRI existed as a
nonprofit corporation supported by private
foundations, universities and individuals.
Its catalog chronicles a vast history
of American concert music from mid-century
to the present.
Fortunately New World Records has
recently acquired CRI’s assets. According
to New World’s Director of Artists and
Repertory, Paul Tai, they plan to make the
complete CRI CD catalog available as
“burn-on-demand CDs” beginning in the
fall of 2006. In addition about three to
four CRI titles per year, over the next few
years, are being reissued on New World
Records, beginning just last April.
Also very fortunately, much of the CRI
CD catalogue is still available, and at bargain
basement prices of $3.50 to $4.00 per
disc! At least two sources, Qualiton Imports,
Ltd. () and
Berkshire Record Outlet () are currently (2/06)
offering over 200 titles. This enables
adventuresome clarinetists and lovers of
contemporary music, and the curious, an
affordable chance to sample, in many
cases, unknown repertoire and also to hear
many fine players, some of which are
among the finest “new music” artists of the
present and past decades.
Following is a list of CD releases of
possible interest to clarinetists. This is certainly
not a comprehensive listing of all the
CRI titles which feature clarinet works or
prominent ensemble playing by clarinetists,
however it is a substantial effort to
that end. The discs included present at least
one solo or small chamber work for clarinet,
or a work with chamber ensemble
accompaniment in which prominent clarinetists
are indicated as personnel. Generally
only clarinet works are included in
the listing, and other works which may
also be on the disc are omitted for the sake
of time and space, as are non-clarinetist
performers. The first 20 items listed were
examined for this study and will contain
brief critical comment and special recommendation.
The remainder of this rather
extensive array of recordings consists only
of basic information:
CRI 609 — Shulamit Ran: Concerto da
Camera II for clarinet, string quartet
and piano/Edward Gilmore, clarinet;
Apprehensions for voice, clarinet and
piano/Laura Flax, clarinet; Private
Game for clarinet and cello/Laura Flax,
clarinet. This disc contains exciting
music presented by two leading clarinetists
in the new music field. There is
brilliant playing by Edward Gilmore,
and among other aspects some amazing
altissimo control by the Da Capo Chamber
Players’ Laura Flax — strongly recommended.
CRI 725 — Roberto Sierra: Pieza Características
for sextet including bass clarinet;
Ritmorroto for solo clarinet; Tres
Fantasías for clarinet, cello and piano;
Cinco Bocetos for solo clarinet; Con
Tres for clarinet, bassoon and piano/
William Helmers, clarinet and bass
clarinet. This is a stellar disc of interesting
music beautifully performed by this
Milwaukee based clarinetist. A favorable
review by Linda Bartley appears
in the May/June, 1998 issue of The
Clarinet.
CRI 893 — Barbara White: the mind’s
fear, the heart’s delight, and LIFE in
the castle with the New York New Music
Ensemble/Jean Kopperud, clarinet
and bass clarinet; when the SMOKE
clears for clarinet, violin and marimba/Michael
Lowenstern, clarinet; noman’s
LAND, for solo clarinet, with
composer/clarinetist Barbara White.
Exciting playing of interesting music by
THE CLARINET
the well-known Jean Kopperud and
Michael Lowenstern, as well as accomplished
playing by Barbara White.
CRI 693 — Donald Martino: A Set for
Clarinet/Michael Webster, clarinet;
Trio for violin, clarinet and piano/Arthur
Bloom, clarinet; Concerto for Wind
Quintet/the Contemporary Chamber
Ensemble of Rutgers University (personnel
not indicated); and Strata for
Bass Clarinet/Dennis Smylie, bass clarinet.
This compilation from five CRI
vinyl discs is a must for serious clarinetists.
The Set and Strata have become
classic repertoire of their genre
from an important American composer
for the clarinet. Dennis Smylie’s performance
is amazing.
CRI 773 — Robert X. Rodriquez: Les
Niais Amoureux for violin, clarinet,
cello and piano; Mario Davidovsky:
Romancero for soprano, flute, clarinet,
violin and cello; Mario Lavista: Madrigal
for solo clarinet. The ensemble here
is the Dallas-based Voices of Change
with longtime member clarinetist Ross
Powell. The program is by composers
with Hispanic connections. The music
is colorful and beautifully played, and
vividly recorded — great sound.
CRI 821 — Margaret Brouwer: Prelude
and Vivace for clarinet and chamber
orchestra/Daniel Silver, clarinet. This is
the chamber orchestra version of the
Concerto for Clarinet which was recorded
by Richard Stoltzman and reviewed
in these pages some years ago.
This is an attractive and charming work
played very effectively by Daniel Silver
and the Cleveland Institute of Music
New Music Ensemble. Great sound and
performance — strongly recommended
CRI 886 — Cindy Cox: Geode for flute,
clarinet, cello, percussion and piano;
and Primary Colors for violin, clarinet
and piano/Peter Joseff, clarinet and bass
clarinet (in Geode with the Earplay Ensemble).
Imaginative pieces well performed
— recommended.