4751011610240

Amber Pearls

Egils Sefers, Toms Ostrovskis and Eriks Kirsfelds

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Format: CD

Cat No: LMIC030

Release Date:  01 September 2015

Label:  Skani

Packaging Type:  Jewel Case

No of Units:  1

Barcode:  4751011610240

Genres:  Classical  Chamber Music  

  • Description

    Works for clarinet and piano by Schumann, Debussy, Lutoslawski, Medins and Ratniece.

    "Once after a recital in Paris we had people coming over and asking us – what was that piece, so beautiful, so romantic? Schumann? All our clarinetists are proud of this work. We have at least one real romantic miniature. I am unable to recall any more. In the past Latvian composers did not write for clarinet. Not that there were any players, too. Thus Romance has an almost historical significance and generates clarinetist camaraderie of some sort: we all play it, we all know where the difficult bits are (it is not easy to control the descending passages of the cadenza)... Furthermore, it is a competition piece that is taught quite early, before the secondary school. If you learn it with mistakes, it is difficult to erase them afterwards; the old "ghosts" haunt you forever. It is interesting to look at this piece from the point of an accomplished artist, not a student. To discover a new core. You play the piece and realize – hey, it has content! Initially we programmed Romance as a non-pretentious pearl of natural Latvian amber. We concluded our recording session with it and had no plans to emphasize its role, certainly – we did not think it could be the first piece of the album. But when we listened to the master copy, we were captivated by the effect of its great simplicity. " – Egils Šefers

    Latvian clarinetist Egils Å efers is praised by critics as a musician with delicately polished, visually enjoyable and expressive performance style. In addition to standard Classical and Romantic repertoire for clarinet, Mr. Å efers specializes in merging elements of historical performance on 18th century instruments with modern performance practice, as well as Latvian contemporary repertoire. During his studies Egils began appearing on stages of major North American cities, the highlights of these concerts included a chamber music recital with Gidon Kremer and a solo recital in Glenn Gould studio in Toronto. His efforts were rewarded with an honorary citizenship of Dallas, Texas in 2003. Å efers has won numerous national and international solo and chamber music competitions. In 2012 and 2013 he received Latvian Great Music Award for his performances of Copland Concerto, Mozart Clarinet Quintet, Mozart Clarinet Concerto and Kalsons Clarinet Concerto. He was awarded the title Instrumentalist of the Year 2013 by the Latvian Radio 3 "Klasika" for his solo appearances. He regularly collaborates with Sinfonietta Riga, Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Spikeru String Quartet, and many leading Latvian and Scandinavian musicians. He is a passionate chamber musician and an active member of the Danish woodwind quintet Carion.

  • Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. Jekabs Medins: Romance for Clarinet and Piano
      • 2. Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces op. 73 for Piano and Clarinet - Zart und mit Ausdruck
      • 3. Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces op. 73 for Piano and Clarinet - Lebhaft
      • 4. leicht
      • 5. Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces op. 73 for Piano and Clarinet - Rasch und mit Feuer
      • 6. Santa Ratniece: Libellules for Clarinet and Cello
      • 7. Claude Debussy: First Rhapsody for Clarinet and Piano
      • 8. Witold Lutoslawski: Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Piano - Allegro molto
      • 9. Witold Lutoslawski: Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Piano - Andantino
      • 10. Witold Lutoslawski: Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Piano - Allegro giocoso
      • 11. Witold Lutoslawski: Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Piano - Andante
      • 12. Witold Lutoslawski: Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Piano - Allegro molto
      • . Janis Medins: Daina No. 6 in F-sharp major