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Mid-Century Modern

Berginald Rash charts the fortunes of the American clarinet as it crosses borders and genres, and plays his favourite performers and tracks from jazz to folk and klezmer.

Berginald Rash charts the fortunes of the American clarinet as it crossed both borders and genres in the mid-20th century. More people than ever - including thousands of children - were picking up this adaptable instrument, making it second only to the guitar in its popularity. We've seen how the dawning jazz-scene was an early adopter; now it was ubiquitous and indispensable across the musical spectrum, including wind band music and Latin jazz. Berginald picks his favourite performances from the evolving lineage of the American school of clarinet playing, including cuts by "King of Swing" Benny Goodman and 1960s avant-gardist Eric Dolphy, and classical composers from Bartok to Bernstein. And we end with an otherworldly Jon Manasse performing the iconic Clarinet Concerto by great American composer Aaron Copland.

59 minutes

Last on

Sun 13 Aug 2023 23:00

Music Played

  • George Gershwin

    Rhapsody in blue

    Music Arranger: Ferde Grof茅. Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.
  • Johnny Green

    Body and soul

    Ensemble: Benny Goodman Trio.
  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Contrasts Sz.111: Verbunkos

    Performer: Ricardo Morales. Performer: Jasper Wood. Performer: David Riley.
  • Louis Cahuzac

    Arlequin

    Performer: David Weber.
  • Nat Farber

    Mamaliege Dance

    Composer: Mickey Katz. Performer: Don Byron.
  • Paquito D鈥橰ivera

    Wapango

    Performer: Paquito D鈥橰ivera. Ensemble: Quinteto Cimarron.
  • Vincent Youmans

    Carioca

    Ensemble: Woody Herman and His Orchestra. Ensemble: Tito Puente Latin Ensemble.
  • Billie Holiday

    God bless the child

    Composer: Arthur Herzog. Performer: Eric Dolphy.
  • Osvaldo Golijov

    The Dreams and prayers of Isaac the Blind: Agitato, minaccioso

    Performer: Franklin Cohen. Performer: Isabel Trautwein. Performer: Diana Cohen. Performer: Kirsten Docter. Performer: Tanya Ell.
  • Percy Grainger

    A Lincolnshire Posy: The brisk young sailor

    Ensemble: Eastman Wind Ensemble. Conductor: Frederick Fennell.
  • Leonard Bernstein

    Sonata in A: Grazioso

    Performer: Larry Combs. Performer: Deborah Sobol.
  • Aaron Copland

    Concerto for clarinet, strings, harp and piano: Slowly and expressively

    Performer: Jon Manasse. Orchestra: Park Avenue Chamber Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: David Bernard.
  • Scott McAllister

    Black Dog

    Performer: Robert Spring. Performer: Gary Hill. Performer: Timothy Rummels. Ensemble: Arizona State Wind Symphony.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Oct 2022 23:00
  • Sun 13 Aug 2023 23:00