Paul Harris –A Musical Celebration
Victoria Samek clarinet; Michael Bell piano; Robert Hardy narrator; Karen Radcliffe: soprano and narrator Kimberley Easter clarinet; East Winds
As part of the label’s 20th anniversary celebrations, this album is dedicated to Paul Harris and celebrates his tremendous compositional output for clarinet. Recorded in the presence of the composer, this world-premiere recording brings together a unique selection from both his serious and light-hearted compositions. The album is rich in lyrical and melodic content, including a variety of instrumentation and enjoying the additional bonus of voice and narrator.
This is the second in the new Clarinet & Saxophone Classics series devoted to composers of today. Director, Victoria Samek, a close friend of the composer, brings her unique and personal interpretation to the recording, alongside duo partner Michael Bell Samek/Bell Duo who together with the wonderful actor Robert Hardy, soprano Karen Radcliffe, clarinettist Kimberly Easter and East Winds.
Paul Harris enjoys a significant reputation, particularly in the clarinet world as a composer, writer and educator with over 600 publications to his name, including some compositions published by Clarinet & Saxophone Classics Publications, now incorporated in Saxtet Publications.
- World premiere recordings of many works including The Unhappy Aardvark, one of Paul’s most popular pieces, narrated by the legendary Robert Hardy.
- Some of Paul’s charming shorter pieces, such as the delightful and effervescent Suite in 5. A definitive performance of the Sonata da Camera, often to be found on exam syllabuses.
- The first recording of Paul’s beautiful Adagio.
- Some of Paul’s wittier music, including the Six Clerihew Songs and the Fantastical Micro-Variations on a theme by Mozart
- Plus a selection of his distinctive, enchanting and occasionally quirky chamber music, such as the Wind Trio and Train Music.
Sonatina, Visions, Adagio, Divertimento, Trio for Flute, Train Music , The Unhappy Aardvark, on Safari, Sonata da Camera, Cat and Mouse, King’s Parade, Six Clerihew songs, Swiftly, Suite in 5, Fantastical Micro, Introduction, Theme and Variations.
‘This impressive partnership….Victoria Soames Samek & Michael Bell are a formidable duo’.’
INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEWSonatina, Visions, Adagio, Divertimento, Trio for Flute, Train Music , The Unhappy Aardvark, On Safari, Sonata da Camera, Cat and Mouse, King’s Parade, Six Clerihew songs, Swiftly, Suite in 5, Fantastical Micro, Introduction, Theme and Variations. ‘This impressive partnership….Victoria Soames Samek & Michael Bell are a formidable duo’. INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW
CC0062
Total Time: 79 minutes
