Clarinet choir

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A clarinet choir is an instrumental ensemble consisting entirely of instruments from the clarinet family. Typically it will include E♭, B♭, alto, bass, and contra-alto or contrabass clarinets, although some pieces are scored for a smaller set of instruments.

Natalia Forrest writes on her web site[1]:

The sound has been described by some music fans as resembling a concert organ. Popular across the globe, choirs of clarinets play both arrangements of well known pieces and increasingly music written specifically for this type of clarinet ensemble. There is no set number of members to a choir of clarinets. Some professional choirs, have as little as 10 members, others have up to 40.

Therefore in practice, in total size it may range from a chamber group of five to eight or so players to a band of forty or more. Such an ensemble of instruments with varied ranges but uniform timbre may be thought of as a woodwind equivalent to the string orchestra.

In addition to these full-fledged choirs, there are clarinet trios and clarinet quartets, usually consisting either of three or four B♭ clarinets or two or three B♭ clarinets and one bass clarinet.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Earlier clarinet ensembles

Composers such as Mozart, Stadler, Družecký, and Bouffil anticipated the clarinet choir in their works for three basset horns or clarinets.

James Waterson (1834-1893), a bandmaster to the Viceroy of India with a close association to Henry Lazarus and "The Military School of Music at Kneller Hall", wrote the earliest clarinet quartets[citation needed]—technically quite difficult works in a popular style— for four B♭ clarinets.

[edit] The first clarinet choirs

Whereas the B♭ clarinet and basset horn (an alto clarinet in F) were readily available from the late 18th century, higher and lower voices were still missing for completion of the choir.

The E♭ clarinet established a niche for itself in the military band, particularly in Germany, from about 1805, whereas the bass clarinet would be perfected by Adolphe Sax in 1838. Therefore, the defining moment with regard to the foundation of the full clarinet choir was the advent of Fontaine-Besson's successful clarinette-pedale design, exhibited in Paris in 1889 and patented in 1891.

Gustave Poncelet (1844-1903) a Belgian clarinetist-saxophonist is credited with creating the first clarinet choir (this ensemble consisted of up to about twenty-seven players[2]) at the Brussels Conservatory in the late nineteenth century while he was teaching there.

It was from hearing Poncelet’s ensemble in 1896 that the German composer Richard Strauss became acquainted and enamored with all of the members of the clarinet family. As a result, Strauss used large and diverse clarinet sections in many of his large scale orchestral works and operas[3].

An early clarinet choir in the United States was established in 1927 by Simeon Bellison, then first clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic; from an initial eight members, the group's size grew by 1948 to 75 members.[4]

[edit] Rising popularity in the US in the 1950's

In the 1950s and 1960s, a number of prominent clarinet performers and educators including James DeJesu, Harold Palmer, Lucien Cailliet, David Hite, Donald McCathren, Alfred Reed, Russell Howland, and Harvey Hermann started a movement that began the golden age of the clarinet choir.

Further stimulation came by music educators who were trying to improve their ever-expanding clarinet sections. Many new compositions and arrangements for the clarinet choir where inspired by this renewed momentum and activity. Most major US university and high school music programs boasted large clarinet choirs. Notable examples were the choirs at the University of Illinois, Iowa State University, Fresno State College, Montana State University, Duquesne University, and Lebanon Valley College.

Strong support for the clarinet choir movement was given by all of the leading instrument manufacturers of the time. Clarinet choirs were often featured at US state, regional, and national music conferences, which often included the formation of conference mass choirs[5].

[edit] Repertoire

The repertoire of music originally composed for clarinet choir was almost nonexistent before the mid twentieth century, but since then transcriptions have been made of many earlier works originally scored for different instrumental groups. Simeon Bellison for one is credited with arranging a vast number of works for clarinet choir in the first half of the twentieth century. Another famous arranger for clarinet choir was Percy Grainger, who spent some weeks during many summers teaching, conducting and performing at the Interlochen Music Camp, near Traverse City, Michigan. In the course of his connection with Interlochen he made several arrangements for homogeneous wind groups, most commonly saxophones or clarinets, of works by J.S. Bach, Josquin des Pres, Jenkins, Lawes, le Jeune, and Scarlatti, between 1937 and 1946[6][7].

Ensembles such as Harvey Hermann's clarinet choir at the University of Illinois generated substantial numbers of arrangements. The center for American Music has a number of recordings of Mr. Hermann with his UIUC clarinet choir in its collection[8].

[edit] Ensembles and Discography

[edit] Clarinet Trios and Quartets

[edit] Trio di Clarone

A clarinet ensemble formed by Sabine Meyer, Wolfgang Meyer (her brother), and Rainer Wehle (her husband).

[edit] Smaller Clarinet Ensembles (5-8 members)

[edit] Vienna Clarinet Connection (5 clarinetists)

Helmut Hödl principal clarinetist of the Vienna Volksoper, Ferdinand Steiner, Hubert Salmhofer, Wolfgang Kornberger and Peter Forcher are the members of this ensemble.

  • Sony Pepperland V.C.C. 001 (p) 1995
    • Dizzy Gillespie; arr. Helmut Hödl and Richard Hepner; A night in Tunesia
    • Helmut Hödl; A Little funky song for Sheba
    • Johnny Mercer arr. Helmut Hödl; Autumn Leaves
    • Michael Rot; In Between
    • Antonio Carlos Jobim arr. Helmut Hödl; The Drunken Girl from Ipanema
    • Duke Ellington arr. Richard Hepner; In a Sentimental Mood
    • Franz Cibulka; Musik für KLarinettenquartett
    • Alfred Uhl; Divertimento für drei Klarinetten & Bassklarinette

[edit] The Berner Clarinet Ensemble (6 or 8 clarinetists)

This ensemble was initiated by Sylvia Schwarzenbach in 1980. The members are young clarinetists aged between 13 and 19 recruited from Sylvia's clarinet class at the Berne Conservatory. As a result the ensemble's composition is changing over time. They either form sextets or octets.

  • Leo Records LEO LAB CD006 © 1994, (p) 1994
    • Giancarlo Nicolai; Capa I Greco E Elle;
    • Giancarlo Nicolai; Ds Klarinetteheft;

[edit] interclarinet (5 clarinetists)

This ensemble consists of five clarinetists and was founded in the summer of 1998 at the congress of the International Clarinet Association in Columbus Ohio as an initiative by the Frank Hammerschmidt clarinet company of Burgau.

Members are: Norbert Täube, Manfred Preis, Jòszef Balogh, Johannes Gleichweit, Harald Harrer.

[edit] Kalmen Opperman Clarinet Choir (7 clarinetists)

Directed by Kalmen Opperman

[edit] Lucioles/Ensemble de Clarinettes (6 clarinetists)

A Japanese sextet consisting of Yuji Murai, Seiji Yokokawa, Shuhei Isobe, Shuichi Morikawa, Kiyoshi Arai, Nobuo Fukushima

  • Eugène Bozza; Lucioles; King Record Company KICC 70 © 1992, (p) 1981

[edit] Wendell Harrison: "The Clarinet Ensemble" (7 clarinetists)

"Wendell Harrison and his Clarinet Ensemble are making significant musical history with every recording and performance, exploring both the outer and inner frontiers of the music and always reaffirming the expressive possibilities of one of jazz music's premier instruments."[9]

This ensemble consists of seven clarinetists —playing the full range of clarinets— reinforced by percussion, piano and bass.

  • WenHa WCD230 © 1994 (p) 1994
    • Wendell Harrison;
      • Rush & Hustle;
      • My SHining Hour;
      • The Hooptie;
      • Pamela's Holiday;
      • Gonna take you out;
      • Urban Lullaby;
      • Saga f a Carrot;

[edit] Larger Clarinet Ensembles

[edit] British Clarinet Ensemble (20-25 clarinetists)

The British Clarinet Ensemble conducted by Charles Hine, was formed in 1995 under the auspices of the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain. Its members are drawn from all four corners of Britain and include professional and amateur players, teachers and students. Since its inception the BCE has championed British composers, regularly commissioning new works and enhancing the repertoire. In the UK performances have been given at many BASBWE Conferences and British Clarinet Congresses as well as appearing on BBC Radio 2. The ensemble has toured Finland, Hungary, Poland, Belgium and Holland and has recorded a CD of new British works for clarinet choir “Gordian Knots”. The BCE has been honoured to appear in the International Clarinet Association festivals in New Orleans, Washington DC and Tokyo.

  • Gordian Knots BCE-0099 © 1999
    • Eric Hughes; Celebration Overture;
    • Guy Woolfenden; Gordian Knots;
    • Michael Ball; Concertino;
    • Paul Hart; Eric's Czardas;
    • Alan Bullard; Cyclic harmony;
    • Gordon Lewin; The Grand Old Duke of York;
  • Looping the Loop BCE 102 © 2006
    • Adam Gorb; Burlesque;
    • Nigel Wood; Where Spirits and Demons Dance;
    • Anthony Bailey; Mahleriana;
    • Giuseppe Tartini arr. Gordon Jacob; Concertino;
    • Guy Woolfenden; Three dances;
    • Alan Bullard; Circular Melody;
    • Anthony Bailey; Towards the Wind;
    • Martin Ellerby; Looping the Loop - A Chicago Hop;
    • Andy Scott; Fujiko;
    • Andy Scott; Paquito;

[edit] Brussels Clarinet Choir (20 clarinetists)

Hedwig Swimberghe leads the Brussels Clarinet choir. He teaches at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, so this group of 20 clarinetists is formed by his current and former pupils.

  • World Wind Music Beriato WWM 500.106 © 2003, (p) 2003
    • Tomaso Albinoni, arr. J. Thilde; Sonata in g-minor, for Clarinet Choir;
    • N. Marchenkova; Sommer Farbenspiel über dem Bodensee (2003), for Clarinet Choir;
    • Gioachino Rossini, arr. J. Schelkens; Introduction, Theme and Variations for Solo Clarinet and Clarinet Choir;
    • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arr. Hedwig Swimberghe; Andante Cantabile from String Quartet nr.1;
    • J. Tassyns; Vocalise for Voice and Clarinet Choir;
    • Maurice Ravel, arr. David Hite; Pavane pour une enfante défunte;
    • G. De Kerpel; Clarichor (2002) for Clarinet Choir;
    • R. Boutry; Air Abulenses (2003);
    • Felix Mendelssohn arr. K. E. Webb; Tarantella op.102 nr.3;

[edit] Clarinet Orchestra of Almada (36 clarinetists)

At an average age of 21, this ensemble of 36 clarinetists is made up of young musicians coming from several music schools Almada, Lisbon and Seixal Portugal. Rehearsals are weekly at the School of Education Jean Piaget of Almada. The ensemble had its first public appearance in April of 1998. Since then it has performed also outside Portugal and made a tour to France.

[edit] Clarinet choir of Fribourg - CH (15-20 clarinetists)

Founded in 1998 by Jean-Daniel Lugrin the Clarinet Choir of Fribourg is formed with the whole family of clarinets, from small clarinet in Eb to Contra Bass Clarinet in Eb. The repertoire is varied, from classic to jazz pieces.

[edit] Clarinets Unlimited (18 clarinetists)

The clarinet orchestra Clarinets Unlimited is located in Groningen and was founded in 1991.

They have cooperated with clarinet-quartet Arghûl, and other clarinet choirs like Calamus from Almelo and the Clarinet Choir from Haarlem.

In October 2003 they played in Izegem België in an exchange with International Clarinets, under the direction of Eddy Vanoosthuyse. In March 2004 the Manresa Clarinet Choir Spain visited them.

CD Suite (2005):

CD (2001)

1. Concerto in Es-groot, deel I, Antonio Vivaldi (arr. Kermit Peters) 2. L'Italiana in Algieri, Gioacchino Rossini (arr. Harold Palmer) 3. Chaconne, Georg Friedrich Händel (arr. Elliot Del Borgo) 4. Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Georg Friedrich Händel (arr. Terry Kenny) 5. Lilita Mia (Tango), A. Oldyard (arr. Reinier van der Wal) 6. Chalumeaux Suite, deel I, Jukka Linkola 7. Chalumeaux Suite, deel II, Jukka Linkola 8. Chalumeaux Suite, deel III, Jukka Linkola 9. A Mario, Atso Almila 10. Episodes from the Crescent Moon, József Balogh

[edit] Clarinote of Caen (13 clarinetists)

Composed of 13 members, is associated with the conservatory of Caen France. In 2001 commissioned an opera for kids "Le chant de la cité prospère" from Jean-Michel Trotoux[10].

[edit] East London Clarinet Choir (13 clarinetists)

The East London Clarinet Choir is a professional clarinet choir led by Musical Director Shea Lolin. They gave their debut performance in their resident space of St. John's church, Stratford Broadway (London, UK) in October 2006.

Performances have usually included works by British contemporary composers such as:

    • MICHAEL BALL Concertino
    • ALAN BULLARD Cyclic Harmony
    • MARTIN ELLERBY Looping the Loop (Chicago Hop)
    • PAUL HARVEY Dances of Atlantis
    • PAUL HARVEY Concertino for Soprano Saxophone and clarinet choir
    • ERIC HUGHES Celebration Overture
    • GORDON LEWIN Calle de Flores
    • PATRICK MILES Behold
    • NINA MORRIS Mythical Creatures
    • TARTINI/JACOB Concertino
    • JAMES RAE Three Southern Sketches
    • GUY WOOLFENDEN Gordian Knots
    • GUY WOOLFENDEN Three Dances

[edit] Ensemble de Clarinettistes Belges (10 clarinetists)

Founded and conducted by Pol Duvieusart in 1976. All members of this ensemble were professional musicians. The ensemble ceased to exist on December 8, 2005.

[edit] Ensemble de Clarinettes Salmorenc de Voiron (25 clarinetists)

[edit] Finnish Clarinet Ensemble (20-40 clarinetists)

The Finnish Clarinet Ensemble was founded in 1983[11]. Since then the ensemble has performed regularly at different venues and at least once a year at its annual meeting which is held in various Finnish cities. The ensemble has performed in Sweden, Belgium (ICA conference in Ghent) and Great Britain. The Finnish Clarinet Ensemble has published two CDs containing also contemporary Finnish clarinet choir works. The number of players varies from twenty to forty.

[edit] Mpingo Clarinet Choir (55 clarinettists)

Is the clarinetchoir from the Muzerie Center of Arts Zwolle the Netherlands. It was founded in 1994 by clarinetteacher Martin van Zanten who is also conducting the choir. The age of the players is between 13 and 65 years old[citations needed].

[edit] Netherlands Clarinet Choir (21 clarinetists)

  • World Wind Music Beriato 500.039 © 1998, (p) 1998
    • Jos Pommer; Octagon;
    • Peter Kleine Schaars; It's so nice to meet you too;
    • Cole Porter arr. Peter Kleine Schaars; You'd be so nice to come home to;
    • Peter Kleine Schaars; St Louis Fantasy;
    • Errol Garner arr. Peter Kleine Schaars; Misty;
    • Peter Kleine Schaars; Salsa Suspension;
    • Paul Dzon; Romanian Folkdances;
    • Jos Pommer; Ballad;
    • Peter Kleine Schaars; Tekebreek;
    • Sammy Nestico; A study in Contrasts;
    • Richard Rodgers arr. Peter Kleine Schaars; It might as well be spring;
    • Peter Kleine Schaars; Cargo Funk;

[edit] Northwest Clarinet Choir (12 clarinetists)

Seattle, USA group, founded in 1990 and conducted by William Blayney. Performs standard clarinet choir repertoire as well as transcriptions and arrangements by group members. Premiered new works by John David Lamb and David P. Jones.

[edit] Piet Jeegers Clarinet Choir (28 clarinetists)

This ensemble is lead by Piet Jeegers a clarinetist teacher of the [[Tilburg Conservatory]] also noted for developing a series of mouthpieces based on the notion that people with more or less under- or overbite need different facings on their mouthpieces[12].

  • Piet Jeegers 960108 © 1996, (p) 1996
    • Harry Stalpers; Sinfonia Concertante "con reminiscenza";
    • Marcel De Jonghe; Mini Caprices;
    • Jan Van Der Roost arr. Maarten Jense; Rikudim: "Four Israeli Folkdances";
    • Edvard Grieg arr. L. Jan Coeck; Peer Gynt Suite;
    • Rosemary Lang; Grenadilla Rhapsody;
    • Johann Sebastian Bach arr. Paul Hoogenboom; Fantasia e Fuga;

[edit] Skjold Clarinet Choir (25 clarinetists)

The Skjold Clarinet Choir is located in Bergen, Norway and was founded in December 1991. The choir's 25 members range in age from sixteen to fifty years, and are a mix of amateurs and music students from Bergen. Many of them pupils of clarinetist Espen Opedal, who has been teaching clarinet at Skjold since 1982.

They appeared on the CD De Unges Kammerkonsert 2002

  • Mozart; Allegro from Serenade KV388
  • Sjur Hjeltnes; Krystallfiber II (2002)
  • Øyvind Moe; Odds and Ends (2002)
  • Reidar Gullesen Koral

[edit] The Slovenian Clarinet Choir (38 members)

Founded by the clarinetists Joze Kotar and Toni Umek, both from Trbovlje, this ensemble is notable because it is the first clarinet choir ever in Slovenia.

Its membership is formed by soloists and orchestra players in the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the RTV Symphonic Orchestra, the orchestras of the Ljubljana and Maribor Opera, the Maribor Philharmonic Orchestra, the Slovenian Police Band, the Slovenian Armed Forces Band as well as several quality amateur and school orchestras and bands.

The ensemble is conducted by Slovenian conductor Marko Letonja, who is also the principal conductor and artistic director of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra

[edit] The Thameside Clarinet Choir (appr. 20 clarinetists)

The Thameside Clarinet Choir is a group of about twenty clarinetists meeting every week during the school year. They are based near Kingston upon Thames (South West London, UK). The idea to found the choir sprang up at a course in Clarinet Playing taught by Christopher Hooker in 1972, and it was subsequently founded in September 1973.

[edit] Tokyo Clarinet Choir (over 50 clarinetists)

The Tokyo Clarinet Choir is an amateur clarinet ensemble. It was founded in 1986 by Ikuo Inagaki, a professional clarinetist who is also currently directing the ensemble. The original choir began with 15 members. Currently, the TCC has over fifty members.

  • Goodlife CACG-0026 © 2002, (p) 2002
    • Hector Berlioz arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Overture to "Benvenuto Cellini";
    • Camille Saint-Saens arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Danse Macabre op.40;
    • Atsuhiro Isozaki; TCC presents no.9 for Contra-alto Clarinet Solo and Clarinet Choir;
    • Johann Sebastian Bach arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Präludium und Fugue in D-major BWV532;
    • Johann Strauss sohn arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Persischer marsch op.289;
    • Johann Strauss sohn arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Telegramme op.318;
    • Johannes Brahms arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Variationen über ein Thema von Haydn op.56;
    • Johannes Brahms arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen from "11 Chorale Preludes";
    • Johann Strauss vater arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Radetzky marsch op. 228;
    • Polish folk song arr. Atsuhiro Isozaki; Clarinet Polka;

[edit] Walter Boeykens Clarinet Choir (30-50 clarinetists)

  • René Gailly International Productions CD87 003 © 1987, (p) 1986
  • Kosei Publishing Company KOCD-2502 © 1993 (p) 1993
  • de Haske Winds 14.001 © 1997, (p) 1997
    • Jan Van Der Roost arr. Maarten Jense; Rikudim: "Four Israeli Folkdances";
    • Peter Benoit arr. Johan De Doncker;
      • Fantasia 3;
      • Luim;
    • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky arr. R. Upten Holder; Russian Dance;
    • Jan Van Der Roost arr. Maarten Jense; Puszta;

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Clarinet Choir
  2. ^ Clarinet and Saxophone December 1990, Vol 15/4
  3. ^ Estrin, Mitchell. A Brief History of the Clarinet Choir. Retrieved on 2006-10-04.
  4. ^ Weerts, Richard K. (Autumn 1964). "The Clarinet Choir". Journal of Research in Music Education 12 (3): 228. 
  5. ^ A Brief History of the Clarinet Choir
  6. ^ Jullian Pilling, Percy Grainger and the Saxophone, The Clarinet, March 1987, Vol 12/1 p36
  7. ^ Roger Cawkwell, A Saxophone Arranger Looks at Grainger, The Clarinet, December 1987, Vol 12/4 p17
  8. ^ List of recordings by Harvey Hermann and clarinet choir available at the Sousa Archives
  9. ^ Liner notes of the CD WCD230 on the WenHa music label by Todd Barkan
  10. ^ Bio of Jean-Michel Trotoux
  11. ^ The official site of the Finnish Clarinet Ensemble
  12. ^ Piet Jeegers web site (in dutch)

[edit] External links

[edit] Sources

  • Abramson, Armand R. A Better Use of the Clarinet Choir, The Instrumentalist 19 (October 1964): p67-70.
  • Ayres, Thomas A. Clarinet Choir Literature. The Instrumentalist 18 (April 1964): p83-85.
  • Bellison, Simeon. The Clarinet Ensemble. New York: Simeon Bellison, 1945.
  • Borkowski, Francis. An Approach to Blending on the clarinet. The Instrumentalist 18 (January 1964): p85-86.
  • Cailliet, Lucien. The Clarinet and Clarinet Choir. Kenosha, Wisconsin: Leblanc Publications, Inc., 1955.
  • Cailliet, Lucien. The Need for Adequate Instrumentation. Music Journal 26 (December 1968): p47.
  • De Jesu, James. Improved Clarinet Sections Via Choirs. The Instrumentalist 7 (October 1952): p26.
  • Heim, Norman. Clarinet Choir Potpourri. Woodwind World Brass and Percussion 19 (May-June 1980): p14-16.
  • Heim, Norman. The Clarinet Choir. The Instrumentalist 39 (February 1985): p32-35.
  • Heim, Norman. The Clarinet Choir. Woodwind World Brass and Percussion 14 (April 1975): p8-14.
  • Heim, Norman. The Clarinet Choir and Its Emerging Repertoire. Woodwind World Brass and Percussion 16 (November 1977): p6-7.
  • Heim, Norman. The Clarinet Choir Phenomenon. The Instrumentalist 34 (November 1979): p29-33.
  • Howland, Russell S. The Clarinet Choir-Its Development and Use. The Instrumentalist 18 (November 1963): p78.
  • Jennings, Vance. The Clarinet Choir Movement. National Association Of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Bulletin 11:4 (March 1963).
  • Jones, Marquis E.. Clarinet Choir: An Emerging Art Form. Music Journal 26 (October 1968): p68-71.
  • Morgan, John. The History of the Clarinet Choir. The Instrumentalist 21 (February 1967): p42-43.
  • Palanker, Edward S.. The Towson State College Clarinet Choir. Woodwind World Brass and Percussion 14 (April 1975): p22.
  • Theaker, Daniel. Scales and Arpeggios for the Clarinet (Vols. 1&2) Mayfair Montgomery Publishing (1994).
  • Weerts, Richard. The Clarinet Choir. Journal of Research in Music Education 12:3 (Fall 1964): p227-230.
  • Weerts, Richard. The Clarinet Choir as a Functional Ensemble. The Instrumentalist 23 (March 1969): p55-61.
  • Weerts, Richard. The Clarinet Choir in the Modern Concert Band. Music Journal 23 (December 1965): p47.
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