ClarinetFest® 2023 in Review

ClarinetFest® 2023 Day 3

Masterclass – Wenzel Fuchs

by Vanessa Davis

Wenzel Fuchs is a member of both the Berlin Philharmonic Winds Soloists as well as the Philharmonic Octet Berlin. Active as an orchestral musician, chamber musician, and soloist Fuchs had a very energetic and traditional approach to the works students presented on this masterclass. The works presented were Max Reger’s Sonata No. 1 for Clarinet and the Dances of Galanta orchestral excerpt. Having both a piece of standard repertoire as well as a standard and frequently asked orchestral excerpt made this a particularly interesting and varied masterclass. With only 45 minutes between two students, Fuchs split time evenly.

Xuan Qin performed the Reger Sonata. Qin’s performance was elegant and measured so Fuchs spent much of the time working on connection between notes, phrasing, and precision in this movement. Along with extensive discussion, Fuchs spent much time modeling, which Qin seemed to benefit greatly from. Hearing any master performer is not only a treat but can say what words often cannot.

Victor Ni (Ni Zhiwei) chose to bring the frequently asked clarinet orchestral excerpt by Kodaly, Dances of Galanta. Fuchs, with his extensive experience as an orchestral musician, had much to offer on this, but chose to address it point by point. He emphasized the rubato and natural accents of the excerpt, often stopping to play and asking Qin to play after him. Though the points he worked on with Qin were often very subtle, Fuchs never lost patience and continued to work until Qin understood which made the session very productive.

Overall, this was a highly successful masterclass even given the short time allotted. Fuchs is a master performer and teacher, and it was a joy to watch and listen to him work with each student.