Performer Spotlight: David Van Maele
There are a number of fantastic performers that have chosen to make E-flat clarinet a part of their solo careers. Several E-flat clarinet pieces are on this year’s ClarinetFest program, with a number of premieres!
David Van Maele is the E-flat clarinetist with the Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgium Guides, and one of the performers who will be premiering an E-flat clarinet concerto at ClarinetFest in Oostende, Belgium. He graciously agreed to share his background on playing E-flat clarinet, as well a few things about the new concerto by Oscar Navarro.
If you're at ClarinetFest, be sure to check out this premiere on the evening of July 9th at the Casino Kursaal!
JF: What was your first experience with the E-flat clarinet? Were you drawn to the instrument- did you like it right away? DVM: I have been playing the E-flat clarinet now for 25 years. I think it was the beautiful solos of Bolero and Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks that convinced me to buy my first E-flat clarinet.
The year after that, my first experience on E-flat clarinet was during the clarinet choir rehearsals in my first year as a student at the royal conservatory in Belgium.
I liked the color (timbre) of this instrument immediately and started to study this instrument on my own. The clarinet choir was a very interesting way to explore the expressive qualities of this instrument, and the interaction between intonation and abilities of the color of the sound. After this short time I did auditions on E-flat clarinet to gain orchestral experience in several symphonic youth orchestras during the summer holidays. (mostly 6 of the 8 weeks holidays). JF: How has the E-flat clarinet been a part of your career? DVM: In 2001 I passed the audition for clarinet at the Royal Wind Band of the Belgian Guides, considered as one of the best symphonic wind band orchestras in the world. For 17 years now I have been playing the E-flat clarinet in this orchestra. I am very happy to share my experiences on E-flat clarinet with several students at the Royal conservatory of Music Brussels and the Academy of Music in Tielt ( Belgium), and giving masterclasses abroad. I want to contribute as much as possible to this magnificent instrument by commissions and creating new pieces for the E-flat clarinet. About the Concerto: The brand new 3rd concerto of Oscar Navarro has a whole new concept, in terms of combining the E-flat and B-flat clarinet.
An additional preview video can be found on the facebook page for Oscar Navarro Music here.
The version with symphonic orchestra was premiered on June 30th and July 1st, 2018 in Alicante and Torrevieja (Spain) at the Gran gala de Verano- Oscar Navarro Symphony Orchestra. The version with symphonic wind band will be premiered on July 9th at ClarinetFest 2018 Oostende with the Royal Band of the Belgian Guides.
More about the Royal Band of the Belgian Guides: www.kennedy-center.org