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.

Tracklist:

Clarinet Quintet for clarinet and string quartet
Songs without Words for clarinet, violin, viola, cello~I. A Far Cry
Songs without Words for clarinet, violin, viola, cello~II. No Paseran
Songs without Words for clarinet, violin, viola, cello~III. Catalunya!
Songs without Words for clarinet, violin, viola, cello~IV. Remembrance
Lullaby for clarinet and cello
Dream Odyssey for clarinet and string quartet~I. Marsh Lanterns
Dream Odyssey for clarinet and string quartet~II. The Pathless Wood
Dream Odyssey for clarinet and string quartet~III. Bird of Fortune
Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale for clarinet and viola~I. Prelude
Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale for clarinet and viola~II. Allegro
Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale for clarinet and viola~III. Pastorale
Fire in Song for clarinet, viola, 2 clapstick-playing narrators~I. The Worl's Lament
Fire in Song for clarinet, viola, 2 clapstick-playing narrators~II. Bandicoot and the Hollow Log
Fire in Song for clarinet, viola, 2 clapstick-playing narrators~III. Quail and the Burning Twig
Fire in Song for clarinet, viola, 2 clapstick-playing narrators~IV. Honey Bees and the Paperbark Swamp
Fire in Song for clarinet, viola, 2 clapstick-playing narrators~V. Honey Bees and the Tall Grass
Fire in Song for clarinet, viola, 2 clapstick-playing narrators~VI. BÃ¤ru the Saltwater Crocodile and the Ancient Fire
Fire in Song for clarinet, viola, 2 clapstick-playing narrators~VII. Lament for the Whole World
Gemini Dances for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano~I. Comodo
Gemini Dances for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano~II. Dotted Quarter Note = c.72
Gemini Dances for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano~III. Comodo (Quarter Note = c.104)
Gemini Dances for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano~IV. Alla marcia
Gemini Dances for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano~V. Vivo (Quarter Note = c.152)
Gemini Dances for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano~VI. Dotted Quarter Note = c.72
Gemini Dances for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano~VII. Comodo

UPC: 809730860829
Label: Metier
Release Date: 3.5.21
Format: CD

For Clarinet & Strings / Various - For Clarinet & Strings (CD)