New Divine Art album of Prokofiev ballet music transcribed for clarinet and piano

There was much activity over the weekend of 5/6 November at the Church of St John the Evangelist in Oxford, for the recording of a new album of ballet music by Prokofiev, transcribed for clarinet and piano – all first recordings of these versions. While some are brand new arrangements by clarinettists Ian Scott and Malcolm McMillan, others were prepared by Br. Prorvicha in 1935 (Romeo & Juliet) and 1945 (Cinderella).

The clarinet soloist is Ian Scott, whose very recent release ‘From Russia’ (DDA 25223, September 2021) is attracting much interest and regular radio play.

Ian Scott explains:

“It was in the orchestra pit during a run of Prokofiev’s Cinderella ballet that I came up with the idea of recording the suites from Cinderella and Romeo & Juliet arranged for clarinet and piano. Two suites had been arranged for clarinet many years ago in Russia and I set about expanding those movements with the help of my producer and fellow clarinettist Malcolm McMillan, who sat next to me in the pit for fifteen years. The lion’s share of the solos in these ballets in their original orchestral format are played by the clarinet, some achingly beautiful and some quirky and amusing, so I felt justified in presenting this unique version.”

The recording will be scheduled for release in the late spring/early summer of 2022.

Ian Scott is the principal clarinet of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, having previously held the same post with the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon. Born in Perth, Scotland, he studied initially with Charles Maynes, then with Henry Morrison at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, subsequently journeying to the University of Arizona to study with leading British clarinettist John Denman. He has been a guest principal with major London orchestras, and appeared as soloist with I Solisti Veneti and the Orchestra da Camera in Padova, as well as the Gulbenkian Orchestra on tour in the Far East. He has previously recorded British clarinet concertos for ASV White Line and Dutton Epoch, the latter including world-premiere recordings of Leighton Lucas and Humphrey Procter-Gregg concertos and most recently an album of Russian music for Divine Art.

Jonathan Higgins is Principal Pianist of Birmingham Royal Ballet. He made his Royal Opera House debut in 1993 performing with BRB in Concerto and has since returned to perform numerous times with the company. He made his Royal Ballet debut in 2010 playing in Concerto and has since returned to play in Rhapsody for The Royal Ballet. Higgins studied at Cambridge University and the Royal College of Music, winning all the major piano prizes. He subsequently pursued a freelance career making several BBC radio broadcasts and giving Prom performances of Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (1984) and Stravinsky’s Les Noces (1987). He first worked in ballet in 1983 and joined Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet (later BRB) in 1987, becoming Company Pianist in 1990 and Principal Pianist in 1995. Since 1999 Higgins has taken part in the summer festival in Neuchatel, Switzerland, giving solo and chamber recitals.

Prokofiev: Cinderella and Romeo & Juliet – Ballet Suite (DDA 25232)

Cinderella, Ballet Suite, Op. 87

The Dancing Lesson / The Winter Fairy/ Passepied / Adagio (arranged by Prorvicha)
Oriental Dance / Kubishka Variation
Summer Fairy / Grasshoppers / Spring Fairy
Dance of the Cavaliers / Grand Waltz (arranged by Scott/McMillan)