On Monday, it was a wonderful privilege to welcome the imminent clarinettist, Andrew Marriner to Abingdon to work with both the orchestra, chamber musicians and our clarinettists. Andrew has had an incredible career as a professional musician which has seen him work with leading musicians all over the world alongside his famed association with the London Symphony Orchestra, holding the principal clarinet chair for 33 years!
Andrew worked with the wind section of the orchestra as they prepared for performance of Dvorak’s 9th Symphony and his expertise in both issues of blend, balance and intonation was inspiring as it was evident the playing of the pupils was transformed in an hour of playing. Some of our Upper Sixth musicians have been working towards performance of Mozart’s famed Clarinet Quintet and this is a work which Andrew has both performed and recorded many times to huge acclaim. Andrew provided inspired commentary on the work alongside addressing issues of balance, ensemble and interpretation. In the evening, Andrew heard performances from the Clarinet Ensemble alongside 4 solo performances. A huge amount of technical advice both on breathing and fingerwork was provided, leaving all pupils with plenty of additional advice and inspiration to take away. A hugely memorable evening and a privilege to welcome such an eminent musician to Abingdon.
