Although there are relatively few compositions for piano, violin, and clarinet, the literature that does exist is of an exceptionally high quality. Beginning in 1918, Stravinsky lifted a suite from the much larger and more elaborate L'histoire du soldat. Some 20 years later, clarinetist Benny Goodman commissioned Béla Bartók for a short work ended up being the much longer piece, Contrasts, which has endured as perhaps the most recognizable piece for this configuration. This album, performed by Alaska Pro Musica, features ...
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Although there are relatively few compositions for piano, violin, and clarinet, the literature that does exist is of an exceptionally high quality. Beginning in 1918, Stravinsky lifted a suite from the much larger and more elaborate L'histoire du soldat. Some 20 years later, clarinetist Benny Goodman commissioned Béla Bartók for a short work ended up being the much longer piece, Contrasts, which has endured as perhaps the most recognizable piece for this configuration. This album, performed by Alaska Pro Musica, features both of these masterpieces as well as two modern works composed for the trio: A Whimsical Solution by Kenneth Benshoof and Sanctuary by Craig Coray. Both of these works, like those by Stravinsky and Bartók, make full use of the unique sonic possibilities made possible by the inclusion of the clarinet. Benshoof's and Coray's contributions are also quite programmatic, with each movement painting a very clear picture even without the benefit of the movement titles. The members of Alaska...
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