Mid-Century Modern
photo credit Carlos Castillo
Berginald Rash charts the fortunes of the American clarinet as it crossed both borders and genres in the mid-twentieth 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 Marnasse performing the iconic Clarinet Concerto by Great American Composer Aaron Copland.
Producer Ewa Norman