Ian Mitchell
clarinet and bass clarinet
THE CDs
Bass Clarinet and Friends - a miscellany
MSV28579
There is much variety among the styles and instrumentation of these wonderfully played works such that the listener will be held rapt through the duration of this program. Lovers of well-written chamber music in varying contemporary styles will definitely not want to miss this set. David DeBoor Canfield (Fanfare USA)
​
This highly-imaginative programme explores a diverse range of music: from the romantic certainties of York Bowen’s remarkable Phantasy Quintet to Jonathan Harvey’s ebullient The Riot, by way of the Latin-infused sounds of Dave Smith’s Aragonesca. It is thoroughly enjoyable from the first track to the last.
John France (MusicWeb International)
Click below to see an introductory film at
Mandala 3
msv 28565
A celebration: music by Nicola LeFanu and David Lumsdaine, husband and wife and longstanding friends of Gemini, to mark their 70th and 85th birthdays respectively. The disc includes two major works commissioned by the ensemble: LeFanu Trio Two - Song for Peter (sop/clt/cel)
Lumsdaine Mandala 3 (solo piano/fl/clt/vla/cel)
Performers: Gemini (Director, Ian Mitchell) with Sarah Leonard, soprano and Aleksander Szram, piano.
​
​
isn't this a time?
msv 28553
Music by American composers:
John Cage, Barney Childs, Tom Johnson, Eric Mandat,
Wm O Smith and Christian Wolff
for solo clarinet (but actually including voice, piano and percussion!).
Awarded joint second place by The American Prize 2018-19
​
Clarinettist Ian Mitchell constantly exceeds expectations with free-spirited interpretations...Truly special. Musician
​​
MOMENTS AND DAYS
University of Hertfordshire Recordings UHR020011018
​Duos and solos for mezzo-soprano voice and clarinet (including 'double clarinet')/bass clarinet. Alison Wells and Ian Mitchell
One of the best and emotionally evocative recordings of new chamber music in recent memory has come my way from England. The Clarinet
​
the edge of the world
Black Box bbm1052
​
Solo and duo works by Cornelius Cardew, Barney Childs, Christopher Hobbs, Dave Smith and John White; the first solo bass clarinet cd by a British artist.
Cornelius Cardew’s Mountains is a truly monumental work...it takes the Gigue from Bach’s Partita No. 6 as a springboard for a set of variations. Ian Mitchell drives a riveting account both in technical detail ands musical coherence. This 59-minute CD is brimming over with adventures and explorations...Clarinet & Saxophone
Darkness Visible
Metier msv CD92083
Cimerian Nocturne (inspired by Conrad's Heart of Darkness), the fascinating triplicate Variations, and Lament of the Bow have a
power and drama quite their own. Sunday Times
Gramophone: Critic's CD Choice of the year
John PICKARD
chamber music
Toccata Classics Tocc0150
Snowbound, for the unusual combination of bass clarinet, cello and piano, is a black and threatening piece...Pickard really exploits the sonorities of the bass clarinet and cello, and of course the bass register of the piano is well able to give support. The whole piece is a fascinating study in bass sonorities. musicweb-international
Ave Maris Stella
chamber music by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
Metier msv28503
Performed by Gemini, Director/clarinet Ian Mitchell
The Times: Critic's Choice of Contemporary Disc of the Year: Hugh Canning - Ave Maris Stella: One of Davies's most profound and voluminous works, inspired by Beethoven's late quartets as well as plainsong. Fiercely difficult to play, it comes over here with ease and brilliance