Jeremy Reynolds premieres new clarinet concerto

Jeremy Reynolds and Jenni Brandon.

Jeremy Reynolds has given the premiere of a clarinet concerto that was written for him, Jenni Brandon's "Fin de la Tierra" for clarinet and orchestra.

Reynolds performed the concerto on July 8, 2023 with the Fort Collins Symphony conducted by Wes Kenney. The performance was part of the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest, which took place this year in Westminster, Colorado. Reynolds played in two other concerts during the festival, performing pieces by Theresa Martin, Chi-Yu Hsu, and Zlatan Vauda.

The International Clarinet Association is now in its 50th year, and was originally founded by former Lamont professor Ray Kireilis. Next year's ClarinetFest will take place in Dublin, Ireland.

For Jenni Brandon, the process of writing the concerto took about one year, and she worked closely with Reynolds throughout. In this 18-minute piece, the diverse ecosystem of the Sea of Cortez and surrounding area is explored. The clarinet soloist serves as a guide, taking us on a journey through this UNESCO World Heritage site to observe the beauty and diversity of the landscape, the water, the animals that live in and around it, and their symbiotic relationship that requires a delicate balance of conservation and exploration.

There are seven more performances of "Fin de la Tierra" planned around the country, an endeavor which Reynolds spearheaded in collaboration with Brandon. They also raised funding for two extra pieces that are based on the concerto: a chamber version featuring clarinet and piano, and "Sea Songs," a multi-movement unaccompanied clarinet work featuring themes of the concerto. 

“It was a real honor to represent Lamont and the deep history we have with the ICA," says Reynolds. "This project has furthered my commitment to commissioning and performing new music, especially by underrepresented composers.” 

For more information on the concerto, click here.