A distinguished fixture of the Canadian music scene, clarinetist/composer/conductor Jerome Summers has been dazzling audiences with his remarkable versatility, finesse and brilliant musicianship for many years. Summers is perpetually exploring new musical horizons, and his latest endeavour, an exciting new CD entitled The Transfigured Nightingale, is no exception.

The theme of this collection is that of transfiguration, or transcription. Summers presents works which began their lives in other forms. Of particular interest is the inclusion of his own clarinet setting of the Sonata in g minor Op. 19 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, originally for cello and piano. Companion pieces include A Canticle for Ryan op. 127 by Michael Conway Baker, originally for violin and piano; and Just Think by Marek Norman, an original song from the musical Wanderlust. The Two Pieces for Clarinet and Piano arranged by A. Stark and are based on orchestral works of Dmitri Shostakovich. The Brahms Sonata, op. 120 no. 2 in Eb is the only music which was originally composed for clarinet, but belongs in this collection because of its « transfiguration » to a viola piece. With the exception of the Brahms Sonata, all of the presented recordings are world premieres for clarinet and piano.

The Transfigured Nightingale marks the 20th anniversary since the release of Summers’ debut CD, Songs of the Nightingale, recently re-mastered by Blue Griffin Recordings and available in re-issue later this month. The latter widely-acclaimed recording presents Jerome Summers with pianists Ronald Turini and Robert Kortgaard, performing music of Rota, Brahms, Kaufman and Burgmuller.

Performers:
Jerome Summers, Clarinet
Robert Kortgaard, Piano

Track list:

1.-3. Sonata For Clarinet And Piano In Eb, Opus 120, No. 2
Johannes Brahms

4.-5. Two Pieces For Clarinet And Piano
Dmitri Shostakovich

6. A Canticle For Ryan, Opus 127 I. Adagio-Vivo-Adagio
Michael Conway Baker

7.-10. Sonata In G Minor, Opus 19
Sergei Rachmaninoff

11. ‘Just Think’-A Romance For Clarinet And Piano Tranquillo-Tempo Rubato
Marek Norman

Praise for Jerome Summers’ recordings include:

« …Summers’ reputation as one of the greatest clarinetists is well deserved…This is an album to treasure »…
Michael Conway Baker, O.B.C., composer

« …Very beautiful music… »
American Record Guide

« …I truly have never heard a better sounding clarinet recording…This is a ‘must-have’ for all lovers of the clarinet and great music-making! »
Michael Lyons, Classical 96.3 FM Toronto

« …Jerome Summers’ playing is celestial…Kortgaard is a master of pace and colour. »
« …a marvelous collaboration, and magnificent achievement! »
Marek Norman, composer/conductor

« …Jerome Summers is a solid clarinetist, musical and expressive… »
Rick Phillips, CBC Radio – Sound Advice