Many thanks to all of you who
came out to our ClarinetFest performances last week in Lincoln, NE. We had a
wonderful time playing for you, seeing some old friends, and meeting some new
fans. Thanks so much for your support!
For those who missed it, here’s
a quick recap:
On Thursday, August 2, we had
the honor of performing as part of an all-star bass clarinet nonet with Karel Dohnal, Steve Hanusofski, Lee Livengood, Michael Lowenstern, Dennis Smylie, Stephan Vermeersch, and Gary Whitman. It was such a pleasure for us to
work with this fine group of bass clarinetists, many of whom we have long
admired from afar. The nonet performed two premieres: Sqwonk’s own Jonathan Russell’s Supra, and French composer Ghislain Hervet’s Headwinds, with David Krakauer as Bb Clarinet soloist. Krakauer tore it up as he always does, and both pieces went over very well with the enthusiastic audience.
Here we are rehearsing with David Krakauer and Ghislain Hervet conducting (Sauro Berti sitting in for Michael Lowenstern, who was getting ready for his own set that night).
Then on Friday, August 3, we performed two of our classics at the 1pm concert: Ryan Brown’s KNEE GAS (ON) and our arrangement of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. We were very happy that Ryan could be there in the audience to be acknowledged. Bach was unfortunately unable to make it.
Finally, it all culminated in
our performance Friday night of Jonathan Russell’s Bass Clarinet Double Concerto in a new arrangement for band. It was an honor to be featured on a concert alongside Robert Spring and some of the top clarinetists in the nation’s military bands, and it was absolutely thrilling to be up on stage at the Lied Center in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd, floating on the energetic playing of the Omaha Symphonic Winds, rocking the concerto. A truly unforgettable experience!
Here we are with the other soloists after our encores of Flight of the Bumblebee and Guisganderie.
Many many thanks are due to
Diane Barger and her team for putting on a supremely well-organized festival,
and for giving us such wonderful performing opportunities. Thanks again to everyone who came to see us, and we hope to see you all soon!
