An exploration of clarinet solo and chamber compositions.
British clarinetist, Frederick Thurston, was a prominent performer and teacher during the first half of the 20th century. His playing inspired 19 composers to write 22 works for him, none of which he personally commissioned. Despite being at the forefront of orchestra, chamber music, new music, and teaching in London, the brevity of his life and two world wars left his legacy overlooked in the United States.
My dissertation includes an extensive biography regarding Thurston’s life as a performer and teacher, a detailed bibliography of all works written specifically for Thurston, a list of available recordings as of 2018, and an exploration of the characteristics of Thurston’s performance that inspired composers to write for him.
Click here to read dissertation document from the UNT Digital Library.
This article provides a complete bibliography of compositions written for Thurston, including publication information for each work.
Published in The Clarinet 46/2 (March 2019)
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