Egils Sefers, Toms Ostrovskis and Eriks Kirsfelds
Release Date: 01 September 2015
Label: Skani
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 4751011610240
Genres: Classical Chamber Music
Description
Works for clarinet and piano by Schumann, Debussy, Lutoslawski, Medins and Ratniece.
"Once after a recital in Paris we had people coming over and asking us – what was that piece, so beautiful, so romantic? Schumann? All our clarinetists are proud of this work. We have at least one real romantic miniature. I am unable to recall any more. In the past Latvian composers did not write for clarinet. Not that there were any players, too. Thus Romance has an almost historical significance and generates clarinetist camaraderie of some sort: we all play it, we all know where the difficult bits are (it is not easy to control the descending passages of the cadenza)... Furthermore, it is a competition piece that is taught quite early, before the secondary school. If you learn it with mistakes, it is difficult to erase them afterwards; the old "ghosts" haunt you forever. It is interesting to look at this piece from the point of an accomplished artist, not a student. To discover a new core. You play the piece and realize – hey, it has content! Initially we programmed Romance as a non-pretentious pearl of natural Latvian amber. We concluded our recording session with it and had no plans to emphasize its role, certainly – we did not think it could be the first piece of the album. But when we listened to the master copy, we were captivated by the effect of its great simplicity. " – Egils Šefers
Latvian clarinetist Egils Å efers is praised by critics as a musician with delicately polished, visually enjoyable and expressive performance style. In addition to standard Classical and Romantic repertoire for clarinet, Mr. Å efers specializes in merging elements of historical performance on 18th century instruments with modern performance practice, as well as Latvian contemporary repertoire.
During his studies Egils began appearing on stages of major North American cities, the highlights of these concerts included a chamber music recital with Gidon Kremer and a solo recital in Glenn Gould studio in Toronto. His efforts were rewarded with an honorary citizenship of Dallas, Texas in 2003.
Å efers has won numerous national and international solo and chamber music competitions. In 2012 and 2013 he received Latvian Great Music Award for his performances of Copland Concerto, Mozart Clarinet Quintet, Mozart Clarinet Concerto and Kalsons Clarinet Concerto. He was awarded the title Instrumentalist of the Year 2013 by the Latvian Radio 3 "Klasika" for his solo appearances. He regularly collaborates with Sinfonietta Riga, Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Spikeru String Quartet, and many leading Latvian and Scandinavian musicians. He is a passionate chamber musician and an active member of the Danish woodwind quintet Carion.
Tracklisting
Latvian Radio Choir, Sigvards Klava
Various Artists
Ilze Reinis & Aigars Reinis
Sophia Kirsanova
Robert Fleitz
Liga Priede, Andrejs Grimms
Atomos Saxophone Quartet
Latvian Radio Choir
Karolos
The Counterpoints
Narratio Quartet
Danbi Um; Juho Pohjonen
Engegard Quartet, NyNorsk Messingkvintett
Flute Alors
Louise Bessette
Jonas Batstrand, Jorn Fossheim
