ClarinetFest® 2023 in Review

ClarinetFest® 2023 Day 2

Robert Spring Tribute Concert

by Vanessa Davis

The program notes for this recital read: “This recital is a tribute to our teacher, Robert Spring. All pieces were commissioned by or for Robert Spring.” Those familiar with the clarinet community of higher education are aware of Robert Spring’s long legacy at Arizona State University. This recital was a beautiful reflection of his clarinet legacy. The program contained six different works all composed by Theresa Martin, an ASU alumnus herself. All performers were also ASU alumni or students.

The first piece on the recital was Solar Flair (2004). Performed by Leslie Moreau and Theresa Martin it was a wonderful showpiece full of soaring altissimo and tight rhythmic precision. Moreau and Martin performed as though they had been playing together for years; it was a joy to hear Martin perform her own music and her hear point of view on her own style. This stylistic exposition to the recital was the perfect way to begin.

Katherine Breeden and Taylor Stirm performed the next piece, Offspring (2023), together. Martin’s titles usually contain some clue as to the commissioner, or the inspiration for the piece and Offspring is no different. Martin spoke before the performance telling the audience that she titled the piece because both students had studied with both her and with Dr. Spring, making them their offspring. Probably not intended was the additional pun of both the composer and performers being from the studio, “of Spring.” The performance hypnotic, with much intertwining rhythmic elements and impressive articulation. It was remarkable how well the tone colors of each performer matched the other so well.

Postcards from Belgium (2013) performed by Copper Ferreira was composed as a gift for Robert Spring by the composer after studying with him at the Belgian Clarinet Academy. It contains three movements all named after memories Martin had of her time in Belgium. Ferreira gave a truly beautiful performance of the work that was both sensitive but affirming, with lots of detail not just to the technical aspects of the work, which were many, but to the underlying musical phrases and ideas that make it such a special gift from a teacher to a student.

Olivia Meadows and Jack Liang performed Live Wire (2010) next on the program. Liang was a last-minute addition as the original performer was unable to play; by listening we wouldn’t have ever known. The performance exuded an exciting exuberant energy that distinguished it from the other duos on the program. The intricate melodic interplay between the parts made it even more impressive that Liang had received the music only the day before.

The penultimate performance on the recital was of Veil (2019) by Jana Starling. Originally premiered at Knoxville ClarinetFest®, it utilizes covered and unusual fingerings, indicating according to the composer’s words at the recital, a keen play between light and dark and the veil between the supernatural and what we see. Jana Starling’s performance was most impressive. Her beautiful tone color shined throughout. Starling expertly executed the extended techniques, integrating them effortlessly.

To close this magnificent recital, Stefanie and Joshua Gardner performed a new work. Paradox (2023) was written for this recital at this particular event. The title is a play on words by the composer for a “pair of docs,” knowing that the Gardners (also the Egide Duo) would be performing it. This duo shined on this work and closed a phenomenal recital with a special mixture of energy and grace, very much reflecting the playing of all those who graduated from Dr. Spring’s studio at ASU.
Robert Spring has had a storied career and had many accomplishments. What is even more impressive than all of that is the clear admiration and love that Dr Spring’s students have for him. This is clearly a teacher who was never too busy for his students, and was not only teacher but a mentor, and it shows in both the countless successes in the ASU clarinet studio, as well as in the studio family’s deep admiration for their teacher and each other.