Expressions

A virtuoso recital C.D. of refreshing new tonal works for Clarinet
Leslie Craven clarinet (Principal Clarinettist of the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera)
Rachel Attwell piano
Katherine Thomas harp & celtic harp
Jonathan Burgess flute
Tom Jackson clarinet

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The latest addition to the ever more diverse Clarinet Classics catalogue is Expressions CC0059, a delightfully impressive C.D. of exciting, new, virtuosic, instantly appealing and tuneful clarinet repertoire, ideal for inclusion in concert and recital. This entire CD of almost 80 minutes of music is designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners; these compositions were inspired by and written for Leslie Craven, one of Britain’s leading exponents of the English School of clarinet playing.

A wonderful “Pot Pourri”, a veritable kaleidoscope of clarinet and piano, clarinet and harp, solo clarinet, clarinet duet and a trio with flute and piano, this C.D. will captivate the general public and clarinet enthusiasts alike. The myriad diverse styles and moods captured will appeal to many different tastes. Leslie Craven is joined by virtuoso friends: Rachel Attwell piano, Katherine Thomas harp, Tom Jackson clarinet and flautist Jonathan Burgess.

The music displays a sparkling treasure trove of Clarinet and Piano showpieces. The first piece on the disc - the Flamenco/Czardas/Klezmer inspired “El Casot” by Daniel Bimbi is a real “show stopper” and precedes the romantic “Sonatina Lyrico” by Vasco Hexel which begins with a flowing melody followed by a slow, sensuous, jazz influenced Ballad and helter skelter finale “Presto Scherzando” leading to Christopher Ball’s brilliant and evocative, unaccompanied “Invocations of Pan”.

A “Better Day” by Gary Schocker has a wonderful refreshing, cool, flowing melody and is liberally laced with virtuosity from both players in the final section reminiscent of the style of Bernstein. The wonderfully melodic and brilliant Duet “Music for Youth” and Folk Song arrangements by Christopher Ball are in stark contrast with the cold, ghostly angularity of the music in “Hauntings” (de) composed by master of T.V. and film scores Anthony Wakefield.

A brief foray into the quasi “avant garde” comprising a very short but highly effective solo clarinet “Sonata for Clarinet Alone” by Jackson will prove that this kind of music can have audience appeal and will reward those adventurous enough to listen, not only with some lugubrious melody but also with some advanced clarinet techniques such as “multiphonics”, “timbral” quarter tone trills, the “growl” and “flutter tonguing”.

“Lluna” a quasi - romantic trio for Clarinet, Flute and Piano by Bimbi with sultry Latin themes is rounded off with a highly amusing and brilliant pyrotechnical display in the form of a musical chase that will leave listeners breathless and with a smile on their faces.

Finally, the simple yet beautifully arranged folk song for clarinet and harp, the lovely lullaby “Suo Gan” (made famous in the film “Empire of the Sun”) is guaranteed to bring a warm emotional glow, a poignant end to a really eclectic mix of music.

“Expressions” CC0059 “embraces specialism”, true to the ethos of Clarinet Classics but also has something for everyone. This great value C.D. of new but entirely tonal and melodic repertoire will undoubtedly appeal to those new to clarinet music as well as the Clarinet “Gourmand”.

All the music is approached with great sensitivity to style and presentation of the composers’ intentions and the results are (in the words of Victoria Soames Samek) - “Gorgeous”.

Most of the music on this disc is published by and available from June Emerson Wind Music LTD.

Reviews

Extract from review by John Playfair in Clarinet and Saxophone – journal of the Clarinet and Saxophone society of Great Britain

“This Cd is advertised as 80 minutes of tonal and lyrical contemporary music, and that is exactly what you get. Apart from the slightly more “with it” solo Sonata by Tom Jackson (who also duets with Craven in a charming suite by Christopher Ball).........and almost everything seems to have been written for Craven himself. I was particularly taken by the two witty pieces by French naval clarinettist Daniel Bimbi , and Christopher Ball’s delightfully simple folk somgs with harp. But everything on the disc is enjoyable.............Craven plays ...with a svelte woody sound and fluent technique ......we should be grateful to him for introducing us to so much new material and the CD is well worth acquiring by all aspiring recitalists.”

This extract from Paul Kaiser, a reviewer of the Dutch clarinet magazine De Klarinet.
(a rough translation from the original Dutch)

“Expressions is a CD of a variety of music for clarinet in several settings... the title Expressions is well conceived however because every piece is relaxing and has something to say .....every number is worth the effort of listening to.... Leslie Craven has a solid sound and although not a young man, one does not hear this in his playing. He sounds like a young virtuoso, a vigorous musician and plays the pieces enthusiastically, and expressively. His sound is warm and focused and his tone has feeling. ..........he plays on his own design mouthpiece, the `Leslie Craven model Mouthpiece `. The opening work El Casot by Daniel Bimbi describes romantic adventures in the style of Flamenco, Czardas and Klezmer. ... One can hear that Bimbi is himself a clarinettist.... the music sounds very natural and lies comfortably for the instrument.
Vasco Hexel’s - Sonatina Lyrico – the name says everything : lyric music....a film score with only the picture missing ....Christopher Ball’s...Music for Youth – is nice, lively swinging and jazzy. You hear the two clarinettists playing a game with each other ....it has been cleverly written. In the folksongs by Ball the clarinet comes to the fore as a folk instrument ....and the combination with harp sounds terribly good. The work of Tom Jackson – Sonata for Clarinet Alone is in my view the strongest piece on the disc ....catches ones attention immediately and is direct and modern...the clarinet sings and tells a story....one hears the clarinettist has to give everything to make this contemporary work succeed ....that is the strength of a solo work. In short a CD with music to dream and relax to. Well worth buying, a welcome addition to the standard repertoire.”

Photographs from the recording at Nimbus Concert Hall, Wyastone Estate

Paul Arden-Taylor at work in the sound room	Leslie and Vasco Hexel (left) and Paul Arden Taylor listen to a take from Sonatina Lyrico by Vasco Hexel.
The magnificent Concert Hall at Nimbus, Wyastone Estate.	Leslie and Rachel discuss balance during a take.

LIsten to extracts

Purchase CD

Price £10.00 (exc. vat) and £11.50 inc. V.A.T. @ 15% – plus postage
in mainland U.K. £ 12.50p
EU countries £ 14.25p
Rest of World £ 15.00p
For multiple CD orders please contact Leslie by to discuss postage rates and any offers available for orders in excess of 10.

You can order by simply sending a cheque to:

Leslie Craven,
4 St Thomas Rd,
Monmouth,
NP255SA

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Post to UK £12.50 Post to EU £14.25 Post to Rest of World £15.00

Christopher Ball CD

Leslie recorded the Concerto by Christopher Ball two years ago and it has received great reviews ( – see press releases page)

Listen to extracts

For information on how to obtain copies of the Christopher Ball concerto C.D. email :