The new clarinet professor at the Conservatory, Dr. Oskar Espina de Ruiz, organized an Encuentro de Clarinete (Clarinet Encounter) held at the CMPR January 29-31, 2011. Guest artists were clarinetists Charles Neidich and Ayako Oshima (both teachers of his) and events included master classes, a talk with Latin Grammy nominee Professor Alfonso Fuentes about composing for the clarinet, and a concert on Sunday at 4:00 in the CMPR’s venerable Sala Sanroma.
The inspiring concert included Elegia by Jesús Guridi, played by Prof. Espina with Prof. Rafael Sueiras, piano; Aphorisms for clarinet duet by Ursula Mamlok, and the Poulenc Sonata for Two Clarinets, performed by guests Neidich and Oshima; the Saint-Saens Sonata and an incredible transcription of Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, performed by guest Neidich and Prof. Sueiras, piano.
It was my great honor to have the Encuentro de Clarinete dedicated to me, with kind words spoken about my 31 years of service by both the Dean of Studies, Melanie Santana, and my successor, Prof. Espina de Ruiz. Here is a picture taken after the concert, Janury 30, 2011. From left to right, Charles Neidich, Kathleen Jones, Ayako Oshima, and Oskar Espina de Ruiz. (They all worked hard that day—I got an armload of beautiful flowers and a plaque—such a deal!)