Bernard Herrmann - Clarinet Quintet "Souvenir du Voyage" (1967)

Bernard Herrmann (born Max Herman; June 29, 1911 - December 24, 1975) was an American composer known for his work in composing for motion pictures. As a conductor, he championed the music of lesser-known composers.
Please support my channels:
ko-fi.com/bartjebartmans
Clarinet Quintet "Souvenir Du Voyage" (1967)
1. Lento (Molto tranquillo) (0:00)
2. Andante (Berceuse) (12:52)
3. Andantino (Canto amoroso (19:59)
Julian Bliss, clarinet and the Tippett Quartet
John Mills and Jeremy Isaac, violins; Julia O'Riordan, viola; Bozidar Vukotic, cello
As a student in the early 1930s, Bernard Herrmann had been particularly struck by a course in composition and orchestration given at New York University by Percy Grainger, and he began to develop two passionate enthusiasms: one for the music of Charles Ives and the other for British composers, especially Elgar (whose Falstaff he particularly loved) and Vaughan Williams. His first major concert work was the Moby Dick Cantata, dedicated to Ives and first performed by the New York Philharmonic under John Barbirolli in 1940. Subsequent non-film works included operas (notably Wuthering Heights) and concert pieces (his Symphony was finished in 1941 and he wrote a string quartet in 1965).
Herrmann’s last concert piece was a clarinet quintet entitled Souvenir de voyage. It was completed in 1967, by which time he had lived in England for several years, and its program is deeply rooted in British (and Irish) culture. The first two movements also have direct links with texts that inspired Vaughan Williams. The expansive opening movement evokes the world of A.E. Housman’s Shropshire Lad, and the turbulent contrasting music was inspired by Housman’s poem “On Wenlock Edge.” The second movement is an impassioned cradle song that captures the atmosphere of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, and the austere mood of J.M. Synge’s play Riders to the sea. The last movement is quite different, taking as its starting point the Venetian watercolors by Turner. At the opening, we hear the violins in thirds, with hints of gondola songs, and later episodes in the movement include a section in which the clarinet theme in rising fourths and fifths is accompanied by shimmering string figurations, and a lively tarantella before the music from the opening returns, bringing the work to a tranquil close. -Nigel Simeone

[@themusicprofessor]

It's only in the 21st century, when notions of 'historical importance' are beginning to seem much less important than they used to be, that we are starting to discover, at last, who some of the most important composers were in the 20th century! Herrmann's late chamber music is still almost unexplored territory. How beautiful it is!

[@brunosansalone6808]

Très belle œuvre magnifiquement interprétée! Bravo et merci de nous permettre de découvrir cette œuvre rare, si tendre et mélancolique. Les musiciens sont incroyables d’écoute et de finesse! ❤❤❤

[@themusicprofessor]

Fascinating to hear (and see) this remarkable elegiac work by the giant of 20th century film music. It's a score tinged with deep melancholy.

[@FreakieFan]

Within 2 measures you recognize it’s distinctive Herrmann

[@notaire2]

Wunderschöne und detaillierte Interpretation dieses neoromantischen und fein komponierten Quintetts in verschiedenen Tempi mit bezauberndem Ton der genialen Klarinette und seidigen Tönen vierer ebenso genialen Streichinstrumente. Der zweite Satz klingt besonders schön und echt tröstend. Der dritte Satz klingt echt schön und auch bezaubernd. Die intime und perfekt entsprechende Miteinanderwirkung zwischen den fünf Virtuosen ist wahrlich ergreifend. Faszinierend vom Anfang bis zum Ende!

[@jb1980ist]

Great piece from one of the finest film composers.

[@johns.4708]

Distinctive Herrmann, many sequences. Exceptionally fine performance.

[@steveegallo3384]

John S. -- EXACTLY! BRAVI from Acapulco!

[@ghmus7]

wow! a masterpiece.

[@jmbechtel]

A fresh addition to my exposure to great 20th century music. Thank you for sharing!

[@csababekesi-marton2393]

Sublime. The performance is far the best I've ever heard.

[@torterrakart7249]

I would check the Nash ensemble one, equally beautiful!

[@csababekesi-marton2393]

@@torterrakart7249 You're right. I've listened to that and had a beautiful experience. Thank you.

[@hadenplouffe3976]

This is SO good

[@RafikCezanneTV]

Excellent! Thank you for posting this gem.

[@eltonwild5648]

Thank you!

[@viola_ti_do4291]

YESSSSS

[@SantiagoQuinto]

Vértigo

[@user-uo7lk2hy2e]

Some reminiscences, that's true ! Such a real gem marvelously composed.

[@johnw6610]

@bartjebartmans How did you manage to get the sheet music of this fascinating piece?

[@blue.goldfish]

I'm going insane, please, does anybody know how to get the score for this piece?

[@clarinetdreamer1]

One of my favorite pieces of music ever. How were you able to get the score? I have been trying for years.

[@dillonharris929]

I have it currently. Are you associated with a university library? You can request it via interlibrary loan.

[@stichtingmirantibus902]

@@dillonharris929 We are looking for the score as well. But it seems you need to have permission from the current rights holder. Do you have any advice regarding that?

[@dillonharris929]

@@stichtingmirantibus902 I didn't need that at all. I simply requested it from my interlibrary loan service at my university, and in a few days it was ready for pickup.

[@epicmustsee]

Do you know how to get the music for this?
Thank you

[@Cornodebassetto]

It’s very difficult to find. I’m curious how the poster got the score cause I only got the parts.