Hazard Chase artists in premieres

Michael Collins (clarinet) and Grant Llewellyn (conductor) recently joined forces with the North Carolina Symphony to perform the world premiere of Elena Kats-Chernin’s ‘Ornamental Air’ for basset clarinet and orchestra to great critical acclaim. The following week, at home in the UK, Collins joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the UK premiere of Brett Dean's Ariel's Music.

‘Ornamental Air’, inspired by Kats-Chernin’s homeland, Uzbekistan and her adopted home, Australia, incorporates her characteristic rhythmic style with jazz riffs and dance like motifs juxtaposed with melodies that portray the vast open spaces of Australia.

"The North Carolina Symphony and Basset Clarinet soloist Michael Collins, conducted by Grant Llewellyn, Music Director, offered what is arguably the best concert of the season..."

Classical Voice of North Carolina, 12 April 2008

"...Michael Collins easily handled all challenges thrown his way, from long-winded arpeggios reaching the extremes of the instrument's range, to finger-tangling burbles and humorous outbursts. He was especially impressive in the moody, bluesy second movement, which included an eerie fluttering effect. "

"...Conductor Grant Llewellyn kept the piece tightly wound, from the motorlike buzzing of the first movement to the perky syncopations of the third. The composer's intricate but inviting vision and the musicians' enthusiastic commitment elicited a roar of approval at the performance's conclusion."
                                                                                                                                                      The News and Observer, North Carolina, 12 April 2008

The world premiere, which took place on the 10^th April at the Memorial Hall in Raleigh, was paired in the programme with Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto also played by Michael Collins on the basset clarinet. New research has shown that actually the Mozart was written for the basset and not the standard instrument it is so regularly performed on these days.

"...Collins' woodsy low tones were a revelation for the lines usually transposed upward for the standard clarinet. His fleet articulation and elastic phrasing were complemented by Llewellyn's sensitive, supportive accompaniment..."
                                                                                                                                                              The News and Observer, North Carolina, 12 April 2008

Michael Collins gave the German premiere of Dean's Ariel's Music, a memorial for seven year old Ariel Glaser who died of Aids, in 2001 with the Deutsches Sinfonieorchester Berlin and Kent Nagano. He is honoured to have been chosen to give the premieres in Germany and the UK, two countries where Brett Dean is so highly regarded.

"...a virtuoso solo clarinet part for Michael Collins, who played it with a moving fusion of sensitivity and showmanship..."

The Times, 22 April 2008

"...Ariel's Music was given a commanding performance by Michael Collins (his part conceived for Dean's brother Paul), aggressive and poetic by turns, and the BBCSO responded with alacrity to the densely yet vividly wrought orchestral writing..."

Classicalsource.com, 21 April 2008

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Hazard Chase artists in premieres