[Dixielandjazz] Spanish clarinetist wows em, with a Goodman Commissioned Concerto

[Steve barbone]

A review of the Benny Goodman commissioned Clarinet Concerto (Copland) For
those who have never heard this piece, it is a good one that links a modern
classical composer to the influence of jazz.

Cheers,
Steve


Music Review | Young Concert Artists
An Evening of Young Artists Playing Some Old Favorites

NY TIMES - By BERNARD HOLLAND - April 7, 2006

For 45 years, Young Concert Artists has acted as a kind of premanagement
management for musicians negotiating their way from the end of education to
the beginning of a career. The organization has done well at identifying
talent, a lot of which is now functioning at professional levels. It has
been equally good at attracting money and influence to support its nonprofit
work. . . snip to

This event seemed to be saying, "We are not just for pianists and
violinists." Indeed, the organization has come across, among others, a
first-rate young clarinetist from Spain named Jose Franch-Ballester. Dressed
up musically in his best Benny Goodman clothes, Mr. Franch-Ballester gave
his audience the Copland Clarinet Concerto.

Goodman commissioned the piece just after World War II and its delightful
two movements show the craftsmanship of a composer who had studied his swing
and jazz. Now that everyone everywhere grows up hearing the same recordings,
listening to a Spaniard play American music in such a natural, loose-limbed
way did not come as the surprise it once did.