Nice words about Ragahoro Breakdown by Melissa Morales from Lisa’s Clarinet Shop.
“Earlier this week the saxophone and clarinet duo Duo Entre Nous released a recording of a new work, Ragahoro Breakdown, that they commissioned from composer and Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam professor, Gregory Wanamaker. Duo members Jackie Glazier, Clarinet and Don-Paul Kahl – Saxophonist have been performing together for several years and are dedicated to commissioning new works for the repertoire. Those familiar with clarinet and saxophone duos are already familiar with Wanamaker’s first work for clarinet and saxophone, Duo Sonata. Critic Daniel Coombs, Audiophile Audition said the following of Wanamaker’s Duo Sonata.”
‘[Duo Sonata] exists in four movements, each of which explores the range, color and expressive qualities of the clarinet and saxophone separately and almost as one unified timbre. The Elegy (second movement) is a very poignant departure in tone from almost everything else on this album, having been written in response to the 9-11 tragedy. A very compelling work.’
“Wanamaker describes Ragahoro Breakdown as a “virtuosic musical fantasy combining textural and modal elements of North Indian Raga with rhythmic and metric characteristics of a Bulgarian Petrunino Horo with subtle hints of American folk music.” Duo Entre Nous premiered Wanamaker’s work earlier this summer while they were the ensemble in residence at The Maryland Wind Festival. The duo and 14 additional faculty came together during the festival for an intensive week of rehearsals, performances, and audience education. The performance above is a video of their most recent performance of the work at Florida State University College of Music on September 20, 2015.
Be on the lookout for more recordings and announcements from this duo. This past week Duo Entre Nous also premiered a work they commissioned by composer and Baylor School of Music professor, Dr. Scott McAllister.”
–Melissa Morales
Store Manager at Lisa’s Clarinet Shop
Education Coordinator for Chicago Symphonic Winds
