Herbert L. Clarke wrote three works for alto saxophone and band; “Helen”, “Valse Caprice” and “Lavinia”, all written between 1918-1922. These works were never performed, published or recorded until 2023 when I gave the first performance of "Helen" with the Allentown Concert Band.
This video features “Helen”, the first of the saxophone solos, from 1918. Remarkable is the very early use of the altissimo range . In the score, the last 5 notes ascend from altissimo F# to altissimo C! Both the solo part and piano score contain the altissimo. In my recording I take a soloist liberty and add a penultimate altissimo high E for a more dramatic ending.
Hebert L. Clarke was a legendary musician active in the early part of the 20th century. As a performer, Clarke played with the bands of Gilmore and Sousa and performed cornet solos hundreds of times. He was also a band conductor, including the Long Beach Municipal Band in California from 1923-1943.
But it is as composer that he is best known, writing many celebrated and often-performed solos for brass instruments with band accompaniment. These pieces are published, recorded and performed throughout the world.
So it is especially exciting to be playing “Helen” one of these lost works. This is a performance from May, 2024, with the outstanding “Heart of Texas Concert Band” conducted by Mark Rogers.
Even more exciting is that these pieces, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Mark Rogers, will be published for band (and piano reduction) beginning in 2025!
16 сен 2024
