Clarinetist Gary Gray in both Concerto and Sonata CDs

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Border Crossings

Including Pacific Serenades commissioned works by two Latin American-born composers and by two composers overtly influenced by Latin American music.

Call Pacific Serenades at 213.534.3434 to order.

Enrique González-Medina
Concierto barroco (2002)
for flute, violin, cello and harpsichord

Robert Livingston Aldridge
Three Folksongs (1992)
for clarinet and string quartet

Mark Carlson
Sonata for cello and piano (1998)

Miguel del Aguila
Pacific Serenade (1998)
for clarinet and string quartet

Mark Carlson / Flute

Gary Gray / Clarinet

Clayton Haslop / Violin

Connie Kupka / Violin

Miwako Watanabe / Violin

Roger Wilkie / Violin

Roland Kato / Viola

Simon Oswell / Viola

David Speltz / Cello

Patricia Mabee / Harpsichord

Joanne Pearce Martin / Piano

Romantic Masterworks
for Clarinet and Small Ensemble
Including the Brahms Quintet Op. 115 and Dohnanyi 37

The new CD has been released by Centaur Records. It is available through centaurrecords.com and amazon.com

Johannes Brahms
Clarinete Quintet in B minor, op. 115

Ernst von Dohnanyi
Sextet in C Major, op. 37
For string trio, clarinet, horn and piano

Gary Gray
Clarinet

New Hollywood String Quartet
Clayton Haslop, violin
Rafael Rishik, violin
David Walther, viola
Paul Cohen, cello

Richard Todd
Horn

Robert Thies
Piano

"I can hardly believe Centaur Records has come up with such an incredible reading...

"I was quite startled to hear this group's unanimity of ensemble and supercharged, amazingly coherent viewpoint. Gary Gray, clarinet professor at UCLA and widely heard west coast performer sounds about as close to Reginald Kell (another iconoclast) as I've ever heard. Tempos are upbeat...no lingering, autumnal "Brahmsitis" here...and it all works! Something this group is doing...gets right to the heart of the this music.

"...if this is your only recording of the Brahms Op. 115, you do well.

"Regarding the performance of the Dohnanyi Sextet Op.37, I think I can confidently add that this issue is fun and sensuous, with more superb playing.

"Centaur has certainly surprised me with this recording and I hope these forces will continue their fine work in future releases."
—Steven Ritter, American Record Guide May/June 2006

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American Record Guide
May/June 2006

Grammy Nominated

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Copland
Concerto
For clarinet, strings, harp and piano

Lutoslawski
Dance Preludes
Clarinet and orchestra

Arnold
Concerto No. 1
For clarinet and strings, Op. 20

Rossini
Variations
For clarinet and small orchestra in C, Op. 109

Gary Gray
Clarinet

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Harry Newstone, conductor

"I imagine a talk with Gary Gray would be a rewarding experience. If his clarinet playing is a guide, he would be a perfect conversationalist, as ready to listen as to contribute a well-turned phrase. The jazzy wit of Copland and the urbane good humor of Arnold both benefit from Gray's subtle artistry."
—Which Compact Disc Magazine

"A gifted colorist, this soloist exhibits with rare intelligence his instrument's large palette of sonorities, particularly in the Dance Preludes of Lutoslawski. Gray is a musician who deserves our special attention."
—Diapason Magazine, France

"Gray's tender and varied version of the Copland Concerto gives equal prominence to the work's lyric spans and its more obvious jazz element...it's a terrific recording."
—Los Angeles Times

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Works for Clarinet and Piano

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Arnold
Sonatina

Bernstein
Sonata

Debussy
Premiere Rhapsodie

Martinu
Sonatina

Poulenc
Sonata

Saint-Saëns
Sonata

Gary Gray
Clarinet

Clifford Benson
Piano

"Gray may have the best sound of any clarinetist in the music business. I recommend this Sonata CD which is a highly-polished piece of work and enjoyable throughout."
—Fanfare Magazine

"An album of twentieth century favorites which received fine performances from this accomplished American artist. His warm round tone is used to maximum effect on works such as the Debussy Rhapsodie and the Saint-Saëns Sonata, whilst pieces such as the Bernstein Sonata and Malcolm Arnold Sonatina are brimming with excitement and display Gray's impressive technique. Clifford Benson's accompaniments are, as usual, superb."
—Clarinet and Saxophone Magazine

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