Autumn 2018 Volume 43, No 3 Alan Lucas PAYING TRIBUTE Michael Collins A YEAR IN THE LIFE PHIL WOODS A unique legacy EDITOR’S LETTER Editor’s 28 World Sax Congress, Zagreb, Croatia LETTER Welcome to the autumn issue of Clarinet & Saxophone. I would like to begin by paying tribute to Alan Lucas, the co-founder of CASSGB, who has died at the age of 98. Alan was a tireless advocate for the clarinet and also largely responsible for the shift among many UK professional players from Boosey & Hawkes instruments to Buffet. Turn to page 10 for a full tribute to him, including a detailed account of this fascinating period of clarinet history. This issue’s cover artist, Phil Woods, left a vast legacy of high-quality recordings on both instruments, though he was of course best known as a saxophonist. His career highlights are summarised by Kenneth Morris on page 14. I would like to thank Ken, who has been writing for Clarinet & Saxophone for 10 years now, for his colourful and expert writings on all things jazz and single reed. Talking of anniversaries, it is 20 years since the first synthetic reeds were produced by the Canadian company Légère. Whether or not you are a fan of the plastic, the company’s story is a fascinating one (page 42). Cover: Phil Woods, 1978 It feels like a rich time to be writing about (or indeed playing or listening Photograph: Courtesy of Tom Marcello to) the saxophone. This year’s prestigious Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) competition was won by a classical saxophonist – and as Michael Pearce points out, the competition has a strong track record of showcasing the sax, with Editor and advertising manager: many past winners and finalists performing on this instrument. Read Michael’s Chris Walters ([email protected]) interview with Jonathan Radford, the 2018 ROSL winner, on page 19. With Jess Reviews, diary and classifieds: Gillam freshly signed to Decca, Rob Burton taking BBC Young Musician by storm Stephanie Reeve ([email protected], [email protected]) and our reviews bag bulging with exciting saxophone CDs every month – for example, Saxophilia (reviews, page 44) – it seems that the classical saxophone Designer: Hannah Whale is truly having its moment in the sun. Printed and fulfilled by: Cambrian Printers Ltd, Not that the clarinet is relinquishing its own spot in the limelight. On page 22 Llanbadarn Road, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3TN I interview the formidable clarinet soloist Michael Collins, who has just finished CASSGB library: The CASSGB library is currently an ambitious period of recording what seems like virtually the entire clarinet housed at Stapleford Granary, Cambridge. There are repertoire on the Chandos label. It was a pleasure to speak to Michael, who has over 4,000 titles of sheet music and other books, a had a challenging year to say the least, as you will discover when you read journals and recordings. A complete collection of the article – although, thankfully, it hasn’t stopped him developing his parallel Clarinet & Saxophone is also available. Members have full access by mail order, and the library is career as a conductor or continuing to break new ground as a clarinettist. administered by Stephanie Reeve. Orders are made Two articles in this issue are devoted to technical matters of very different via our website (cassgb.org/library) or in writing to kinds. Chuck Currie shares some invaluable advice on reed seasoning and Stephanie Reeve: [email protected] adjusting on page 30, while we present some new findings on the mechanics of Copy dates: 15 January (for spring edition), articulation on page 32. Have you ever wondered what’s going on scientifically 15 April (for summer edition), 15 July (for autumn when you articulate a note on the clarinet? If so, this article, which springs from edition) and 15 October (for winter edition) a dedicated laboratory at the University of New South Wales, Australia, should offer some answers. Clarinet & Saxophone tries to avoid inaccuracies. If readers believe that an error has been made they Before I sign off, I’d like to remind you to sign up for CASSGB’s gala single should contact the editor before taking any other action. reed day in Nottingham on 23 September. CASSGB’s days are always great The advertisements in Clarinet & Saxophone fun, and this year there will be opportunities to play in massed ensembles do not imply endorsement. and hear performances from top artists, as well as sampling our buzzing trade © All copyrights reserved 2018 • ISSN 0260 390X exhibition. See the news section (page 4) for more details, and I hope to see many of you there. Chris Walters, editor [email protected] SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN Autumn 2018 Volume 43 Number 3 The official publication of the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain (CASSGB) 2 Clarinet & Saxophone, Autumn 2018 www.cassgb.org CONTENTS PHOTO: BRIAN MCMILLEN Regulars 4 News 13 Single Reed Doctor INSIDE 44 Reviews 44 CDs 47 Sheet music BEN EALOVEGA PHOTO: 50 Diary 14 54 Membership update Phil Woods and classifieds 56 Inspirations Kenneth Morris profiles Christian Forshaw – saxophonist, composer and leader of 22 44 The Sanctuary Ensemble Michael Collins Reviews – Saxophilia Features AND JAMES MCCORMICK LEAGUE OVER-SEAS ROYAL PHOTO: 14 Into the Woods Kenneth Morris examines the life and work of the American saxophonist Phil Woods, who left one of largest and most impressive recording legacies of any single-reeder 19 Jonathan Radford The channel-hopping saxophonist and reigning Royal Over-Seas League Gold 19 56 Jonathan Radford Christian Forshaw Medallist tells Michael Pearce about the difference between French and British conservatoires’ approach to the classical saxophone 36 Heather Roche Ian Mitchell profiles Heather Roche, 22 Michael Collins a Canadian and now London-based Chris Walters hears from the solo clarinettist clarinettist, blogger and contemporary and conductor about current projects and music advocate future ambitions amid a challenging year 38 Film Noir 25 ClarinetFest 2018 Royal College of Music saxophone Stephanie Reeve reports from the professor Kyle Horch writes International Clarinet Association’s annual about the birth of Film Noir, an flagship event ambitious new piece for sax octet by Ivor McGregor 28 World Sax Congress David Zucchi visited this year’s World Sax 41 P. Mauriat Congress to perform with his quartet, The Clarinet & Saxophone is grateful to all Domino Group. He reports here on the many our advertisers for their continued other performances on offer there support. In this new feature, we shine a light on one of them in each issue, 30 Reed seasoning and adjusting beginning with P. Mauriat Chuck Currie suggests that a little time spent on reed management pays dividends 42 Redefining reeds This October marks the 20th 32 Science of articulation anniversary of Légère Reeds. Some recent scientific studies of clarinet Michael Pearce hears from tonguing are presented by the School of co-founder and president Physics, University of New South Wales, Mark Korschot about the Australia company’s journey 36 Heather roche www.cassgb.org Clarinet & Saxophone, Autumn 2018 3 NEWS CASSGB 2018 Anna SINGLE Hashimoto REED DAY SUNDAY 23 SEPTEMBER NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY Sarah Marinescu After many months of planning, CASSGB’s 2018 Single Reed Day is now CASSGB would like to thank our just a few days away. Building on the success of our 2016 event held many supporters without whom the in London, it will offer an opportunity to meet other CASSGB members, day would not be possible, including: play together in massed sessions, browse and try out a wide range of products, attend masterclasses and talks, and hear performances from ABRSM an exciting selection of up-and-coming and established artists. Barnes and Mullins D’Addario Our international line-up of guest artists includes: Devon & Burgani Hummingbird and Maskarade • Roeland Hendrikx, clarinet (sponsored by Henri Selmer Paris) Music Publishing • Naomi Sullivan, saxophone (sponsored by D’Addario) Ridenour Clarinet Products • Anna Hashimoto, clarinet (sponsored by Vandoren UK) Selmer Paris • Nik Carter, saxophone (sponsored by Yamaha UK) Sempre Music • Jason Alder, contrabass clarinet Trevor James • Marco Gerboni, saxophone Trinity College London • Basilisk Duo (Freya Chambers and Simeon Evans, bass clarinet/ Uebel saxophones) Universal Edition Roeland Hendrikx • British Clarinet Ensemble Vandoren • The Band of the Grenadier Guards Clarinet Quartet Weiner Urtext Edition • The Household Division Saxophone Ensemble Wind Blowers • Warrant Officer Class 1 Sarah Marinescu of the Grenadier Guards Yamaha (massed single-reed session conductor) Yanagisawa CASSGB is running a series of guest artist profiles on our Facebook page with more information about all our guest artists. Along with our massed single-reed choir, we are pleased to announce that bass clarinet specialist Sarah Watts will lead a massed bass clarinet ensemble as a special UK tribute to Harry Sparnaay, the ‘godfather’ of the bass clarinet, who died last year. As with our massed single-reed Jason Alder choir, parts will be available on the day for players of all ages and abilities, so don’t forget to bring your instruments! The event will take place at the Lakeside Arts Centre and Music Department, Nottingham University, NG7 2RD on Sunday 23 September from 10am to 8pm (registration opens at 9.30am). Tickets can be booked via our dedicated Eventbrite page (www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cassgb- 2018-single-reed-day-tickets-46649060596) or by visiting www.cassgb. org and clicking through to information about the event. Tickets cost £10 for students, £35 for CASSGB members and £50 for non-members. The latter rate includes a free year’s membership of CASSGB for those who The Band of the Grenadier Guards pay by direct debit. Naomi Sullivan Basilisk Duo The Household Division SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN 4 Clarinet & Saxophone, Autumn 2018 www.cassgb.org Clarinet and Saxophone Society.pdf 1 2018-07-11 10:52:49 AM C M Y Légère Reeds are consistent, Ready to play when you are, CM durable and dependable.