Project

More than one decade has passed since the foundation of the ensemble during which the quartet attempted to interpret various genres and experiment in the field of classical music, jazz, electronic music and ethno. The beginnings of the activity of the ensemble which had originally been called the Czech Clarinet Quartet, are linked to the studies of all four performers at Prague AMU, thus to first half of the nineties. The current policy of the quartet can briefly be summarised in the words of ensemble member Jindra Pavliš: "We do not want to be only interpreters and clarinet players. We are interpreters of classical and jazz music, improvisers and creators in new inter-genre projects. Formerly we played clarinets and composed music; now we are doing more improvisations, composing, playing other instruments and singing. We want to be an ensemble which has something to say. Not a museum!" The objective of the ensemble is clear - communication - across genres and generations. All this is hidden also in the new and perhaps intentionally abstract name of the ensemble the Clarinet Factory, under which the clarinet quartet will be presented on the music scene and under which it will be known to its admirers and fans henceforward. Clarinet Factory - three clarinets and a bass clarinet; this certainly is not a traditional cast of a chamber ensemble. The sound variations offered by this set are very unusual, soothing as well as dense and pliable and full of vitality and surprise. They emerge from a repertoire of musical pieces from various eras and styles (from the Renaissance to jazz and modern music) which the members of the quartet themselves adapt. The effort of the quartet does not end with the adaptation and interpretation of known compositions. Their own compositions and premieres of novelties of contemporary authors form an additional dimension to their creation. During the preparation and implementation of individual thematic programmes they work together with a number of top Czech music interpreters (for example they recorded the "Tenerife blues" CD with Jana Koubková). At present, Alan Vitouš, the percussionist, is in a long standing partnership with the ensemble. The appetite of the ensemble to tamper with non traditional items is reflected in the organisation of the multi-media show of events held every year in June in the old quarry of Nečín, with music, projections and a fire show, and in the attendance of other musicians. The fact that the Clarinet Factory is an original, lively and successful ensemble is shown in the invitations to significant festivals such as Inalfa festival - Holland 96, XXII. International jazz festival Prague 97, Chopin festival - Mariánské Lázně 97, Festival B. Martinů - Polička 99 Sommer Festival, Norimberk 2000, Jazz Lent festival, Maribor 2003, MHF Struny podzimu (Strings of Autumn) 2006, Jazz Peak in Sofia, MHF Moravský podzim (Moravian Autumn) 2007, performance in the concert cycles of Prague Philharmonia, Czech Philharmony, Prague Symphony Orchestra (FOK), tour and cognitive journey to Senegal 2003, etc., and also positive criticisms in the press, fruitful cooperation with the Czech broadcasting studio and Czech TV. The audience was also able to come across their music in foreign cinemas as the quartet significantly participated in composing music for Hidden Things. (Picture Start Company - New York). The quartet introduced itself on the Czech theatre scene with scenic live music to the performance of the Comedy Theatre "Les", 2003. The ensemble of Clarinet Factory, together with the composer Zbyňek Matějů, has also prepared and interpreted music for the ballet performance (e)MOTION PURE - Kevel, currently being shown at the Ponec theatre. It is worth mentioning the composition Orlík, from the Echoes from a Stone CD, winning last years ‘Instrumental' category award at the International Song Writing Competition, a prestigious world event held in Nashville USA. Orlík was chosen from among almost 15 000 compositions and songs sent in from 80 countries throughout the world and judged by famous personalities such as Tom Waits, Jerry Lee Lewis and Robert Smith. In a nutshell this ensemble is trying to link together the best traditions of the Czech music, to develop this heritage, and at the same time is not afraid of experimenting, looking for unexplored areas and innovation in global trends of interconnecting genres.

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