Wlad Marhulets wins Azrieli Prize
17th October 2016
© Arthur Moeller
Wlad Marhulets describes his Concerto for Klezmer Clarinet as the most important work of his career. Born in Minsk, Marhulets moved with his family to Gdansk, Poland, as a child. It was there, at the age of 16, that he first heard a recording by the acclaimed klezmer clarinetist David Krakauer. 'Listening to this modern reinvention of klezmer music changed my life,' says Marhulets, who immediately picked up the clarinet and formed his own klezmer band. Before travelling to New York City, with the goal of meeting Krakauer, the twenty-year-old composer — who barely spoke a word of English — also sent his compositions to John Corigliano. The Oscar- and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer took Marhulets under his wing at the Juilliard School. Marhulets's Klezmer Clarinet Concerto was premiered by David Krakauer and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2009, under the baton of Maestro Andrew Litton. The concerto has since been performed by the National Orchestra of Lyon and the Bialystok Symphony in Poland.
Concerto for Klezmer Clarinet is scored for full orchestra with the addition of a drum set and an electric bass. Polystylistic in nature, the concerto juxtaposes traditional klezmer forms with contemporary orchestral writing.
View the score at ScoresOnDemand.
For specific inquiries about Wlad Marhulets, please contact schirmer@schirmer.com or call 212-254-2100.
