Lunchtime Recital Series: Performance of Alfred Pratt Idylle Printanière, Op. 17. No. 2, Roger Fiske, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Arnold Bax Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Otto Goldschmidt Evening, from Two Pieces, Op. 26

The Early 20th century English clarinet music recital by Heather Monkhouse and Karen Smithies featured four compositions for solo clarinet and piano by composers Alfred Pratt, Roger Fiske, Sir Arnold Bax and Otto Goldschmidt. This recital is the second in a series that presents the repertoire of this period and continues the exploration of two themes: the impact of the performer on compositional output, and the ‘English pastoral style.’ By the mid-nineteenth century the issues of identity and individuality were concerns for composers: professional entertainment and increased awareness of the musical past, meant composers had to compete to have their works performed and heard. The works performed in this recital were written for specific clarinettists: one of whom was Charles Draper, an early clarinet virtuoso whose playing was admired by the great English composer and teacher Charles Villiers Stanford, and another his pupil, Frederick Thurston. The performance demonstrates that the composers of this period were able to provide many opportunities for the clarinet to explore both lyricism and flashes of technique, yet retain a sense of intimacy, all of which represent hallmarks of English pastoralism.