Swing Low Sweet Clarinet: Reginald Kell & His Quiet Music
‘Art, in any form, relies on individual expression. Our playing should be as individual as our smile’
Reginal Kell – January 1967
Reginald Kell (1906-1981), holds an important position as one of Britain’s leading clarinet players of the last century. Hugely influential, he introduced the concept of vibrato to the orchestral clarinet. Inspired by the great singers with whom he came in contact, particularly Kirsten Flagstad, he sought to emulate their warm expressive sounds on the clarinet. Alongside his International solo and orchestral playing career, Kell was also a committed teacher, and as such taught Benny Goodman who was anxious to improve his grasp of the classical repertoire.
This selection of recordings from the 1940s and 1950s is available for the first time on in one collection and breaks away from the more serious repertoire which Reginal Kell is associated. Featuring popular tunes and arrangements with orchestral accompaniment, this programme was chosen by the bass clarinettist Stephen Trier (1930-1999). Enjoying a distinguished career including long-standing member of the Royal Philharmonic and London Philharmonic Orchestras as principal bass clarinet alongside solo and chamber engagements, Stephen Trier was a direct contemporary of Kell and as such knew him as a player and colleague. It is therefore very special that the liner notes are written by Stephen Trier and reflect his personal knowledge of Kell and his family.
With great sadness Stephen Trier passed away suddenly at the age of 69 before the release of this recording, which is dedicated to his memory.
Programme includes:
- Swing Low Sweet Clarinet Mourant/Ludlow Ambrose Orchestra;
- The Wistful Shepherd Raybould/BBC Salon Orchestra;
- Stars in My Eyes Kreisler
- Schön Rosmarin Kreisler
- Reginald Kell & His Quiet Music
- Swing Low Sweet Chariot
- Kreisler’s Liebesfreud and Liebeslied
- Debussy’s La Plus que Lent and La Fille aux Chevaux de Lin, Le Petit Berger
‘The transfers, mostly from LP have been beautifully done…There is more to the CD then just the music: a fascinating biography by Stephen Trier…another winner from Clarinet Classics.’
CLARINET & SAXOPHONE MAGAZINE
Playing Time: 73 mins.
CC0049
