Descending into Richard’s daylight basement is stepping into over fifty years of clarinet history. Music scores, posters, photos, thousands of clarinet reeds, and over 175 of his recordings fill tables and shelves. With sweet overtones and a twinkle in his eye, he describes standing on stage, pointing the bell of his clarinet towards the audience, and drawing them into the music of Brahms, Messiaen, Takemitsu, Mozart, and Copland. His welcoming sense of community has introduced us to new players, and new interpretations of less understood works, plus he has commissioned music by everybody. Listen to stories about his parents, Benny Goodman, Rudolf Serkin, Chick Corea, his teachers and friends, and you quickly understand his dedication to a lifetime spent getting it right. This week with Richard will make your jaw drop!
A Visit with Richard Stoltzman
Playlist
Episode 1
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus: Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in A, K. 622
II. Adagio
English Chamber Orchestra/Schneider
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
Mozart Clarinet Concerto and Bassoon Concerto
RCA 60376
8:34
Brahms, Johannes: Sonata in F Minor
IV. Vivace
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Richard Goode, piano
Brahms Sonatas for Clarinet and Piano, Op.120
RCA 60036
5:04
Schumann, Robert: 3 Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
No.1 Zart und mit Ausdruck
No.2 Lebhaft, leicht
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Richard Goode, piano
Schumann: 3 Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 2 Sonatinas, D.384, 385
RCA 6772-2-RC
6:34
Messiaen, Olivier: Quatuor pour la fin du temps
I. Liturgie de cristal
III. Abîme des oiseaux
TASHI
Tashi plays Messiaen
ARL1-1567
10:04
Poulenc, Francis: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
I. Allegro tristamente
III. Allegro con fuocco
Richard Stoltzman; clarinet; Irma Vallecillo, piano
Romance
RCA 09026601982
10:33
Jenkins, Gordon: “Goodbye”
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Lamento Quartet; Eddie Gomez, bass
Lemento
Sony 74321796452
3:52
Episode 2
Gershwin, George: “Promenade” (Walking the Dog)
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Fred Sherry, cello;
Steve Tenenbom, viola; Theodore Arm, violin; Ida Kavafian,violin
Rendezvou
RCA 7901-2
2:40
Copland, Aaron: Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, Harp, and Piano
London Symphomy Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas; Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
Richard Stoltzman Copland Concerto
RCA 09026617902
16:41
Stravinsky, Igor: Ebony Concerto For Solo Clarinet and Jazz Ensemble
Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd; Stoltzman, clarinet
Richard Stoltzman/ Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd
RCA 6486-2
9:30
Douglas, Bill: “Waltz for Woody”
Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd; Stoltzman, clarinet
Richard Stoltzman – Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd
RCA 6486-2
4:39
Herman, Woody/Nat Pierce: “Apple Honey”
Stoltzman, clarinet
Richard Stoltzman – Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd
RCA 6486-2
4:43
Bernstein, Leonard/arr. Sid Ramin:
Clarinet Sonata – II. Andantino, Vivace E Leggiero
London Symphomy Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas; Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
Richard Stoltzman Copland Concerto
RCA 09026617902
7:24
Episode 3
Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields: “Anything but Love”
Lester Stoltzman, saxophone (Richard’s father)
Private recording
2:16
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Trio in B-Flat Major, Op. 11 “Gassenhauer”
III. Theme and Variations
Rudolf Serkin, piano; Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Alain Meunier, violoncello
Marlboro Festival 40th Anniversary
SONY 47296
7:08
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Quintet for Piano and Winds, Op 16
III. Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo
Peter Serkin, piano; Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Allan Vogel, oboe
Robert Routch, horn; Bill Douglas, Bassoon
Lv Beethoven
RCA 2217
6:30
Messiaen, Olivier: Quatuor pour la fin du temps:
VI. Danse de la fureur, pour les sept trompettes
TASHI
Tashi plays Messiaen
ARL1-1567
6:19
Brahms, Johannes: Trio in A Minor, Op 114
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Andantino
Yo-Yo Ma, violoncello; Emanuel Ax, piano; Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
Ax, Stoltzman, Ma
Sony 57499
22:11
Episode 4
Brahms, Johannes: Trio in A Minor, Op 114
IV. Allegro
Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Richard Stoltzman
Ax, Stoltzman, Ma
Sony 57499
4:23
McKinley, William Thomas: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
III. Largo
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Irma Vallecillo, piano
Amber Waves
RCA 09026626852
7:19
Douglas, Bill: “It’s Here”
Gary Burton, Eddie Gomez, Danny Gottlieb, Chuck Loeb
Jeremy Wall, Bill Douglas, Café, Richard Stoltzman
Brasil
RCA 60708-2-RC
3:50
Nielsen, Carl: Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op.57
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra/Lawrence Leighton Smith
Richard Stoltzman
RCA 09026638362
26:01
Douglas, Bill: “Dawn” (excerpt)
Gary Burton, Eddie Gomez, Danny Gottlieb, Chuck Loeb
Jeremy Wall, Bill Douglas, Café, Richard Stoltzman
Brasil
RCA 60708-2-RC
1:42
Episode 5
Bach, JS: G Minor 3 Part Invention BWV 797
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Mika Stoltzman, marimba
Last Solo Album: From My Life
Denon 85583
2:38
Brahms, Johannes: A Major Intermezzo, Op. 118, No. 2
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet; Mika Stoltzman, marimba
Last Solo Album: From My Life
Denon 85583
6:00
Brahms, Johannes: Clarinet Quintet
1. Allegro
Richard Stoltzman, Cleveland Quartet
Brahms: Clarinet Quintet
RCA ARL1
13:23
Stravinsky, Igor: 3 Pieces for Solo Clarinet
Richard Stoltzman
Tashu plays Stravinsky
RCA 2449
Corea, Chick: “Children’s Song No. 3 & 4”
“Birthday Song for Mika”
“Japanese Waltz”
Richard and Mika Stoltzman
Spirit of Chick Corea
Eight Island Records EIRD-8003
15:52
Traditional: “Danny Boy”
Richard Stoltzman
Collaborations
Sony 01934112202
4:32