Instrumentaion: Clarinet

Imagine the clarinet like you've never heard it before--elevated by cutting-edge technology and taking flight to new, uncharted frontiers. With THE DAWN OF THE BICAMERAL CLARINETIST, clarinet virtuoso Dr. Gary Dranch offers an extraordinary exploration of the pivotal era between 1968 and 1979, when portable synthesizers first made their way onto the concert stage. This Navona Records release sheds light on the clarinet's development in a time shaped by the Space Age, when composers, inspired by technological advances, crafted a unique collaboration between electronic devices and live musicians. The album title reflects this groundbreaking synergy, where the clarinetist merges with the digital realm, leading audiences into strange and beautiful new dimensions. Featuring rare live recordings and a thrilling fusion of jazz, rock, and classical influences, THE DAWN OF THE BICAMERAL CLARINETIST captures the essence of this transformative period with striking clarity and depth. If your interests lie in the intersection of technology and art, this album is sure to make a positive and enduring impression.

Navona Records presents LAST NOTES, an album tracing the musical footprint of composer Eric Biddington’s compositional history through revived works of the past. Some written nearly 30 years ago, the unearthed gems featured on this album speak in a fresh tone, effusing elegance and thoughtfulness across varied orchestrations and moods. From the tender sentiments teeming in Peace for Julie to the playful nature of A Little Dance and his deeply moving passages for bassoon and piano, Biddington covers a wide gamut of expression in these chamber works.

The Phoenix Ensemble’s latest album JOHANNES BRAHMS / ELLIOTT CARTER: CLARINET QUINTETS is, of course, masterful. The Phoenix Ensemble now looks back on almost three decades of being a fixture in the national chamber music scene, focusing on performances and recordings of 20th- and 21st-century music. Indeed, it may be this particular specialization in complex musical structures that allows the musicians to explore Brahms' late quintet with the previously unheard thoroughness and careful reconnaissance displayed on this album.

Clarinetist Christopher Nichols makes his PARMA and Navona Records debut with ELEGIA, a compilation of Italian, French, and American clarinet works spanning two centuries. These works include repertoire standards, little-recorded rarities, and recent music from contemporary composer Kevin Cope. Collaborative pianist Julie Nishimura joins Nichols for these recordings.

Navona Records is proud to present PHOENIX ENSEMBLE: CHAMBER WORKS OF HENRI MARTEAU AND ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY. The Phoenix Ensemble is a mixed instrument chamber music ensemble. Founded in 1991 by New York-based clarinetist Mark Lieb, the Phoenix Ensemble aims to “inspire a new and diverse audience for classical music.” They undertake this challenge by presenting two works by late romantic French composer Henri Marteau, who is relatively unknown in the music world, as well as presenting one work by Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky. Both composers were active at the turn of the 19th century.

RESOLVE, the latest release on Navona Records from two-time Grammy® Award-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, showcases three Paul Hindemith clarinet-focused works, two of which are premiere recordings for Stoltzman.

Richard Stoltzman clarinet Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra | Kirk Trevor conductor Recorded in Bratislava, Slovakia with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Kirk Trevor Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra recorded May 2003. Duetto for Bass and Clarinet recorded May 2005. Featuring Richard [...]

Donald Martino composer Peter Homans composer Malcolm Peyton composer Recorded live May 8, 2007 at Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA Engineering for “Quintino” and “Serenata Concertante”: Frank Cunningham Photos courtesy of the Martino family Special thanks to Peter Homans and Lora [...]