Annelien Van Wauwe Photo: Joëlle Van Autreve
Belgian clarinettist Annelien Van Wauwe talks with David Morriss ahead of her concert with the Auckland Philharmonia. She's performing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto on the basset clarinet – the historic, less-often heard type of clarinet for which he originally wrote it.
Annelien says she knew wanted to play the clarinet from an early age.
"I absolutely adored the sound when I was a little girl, and I liked it because it was very similar to the human voice. I had the impression I could just sing with the instrument."
The practice of yoga is a big part of Annelien's life.
"An hour before each concert, you can find me on a yoga mat, that's for sure. I'm a woodwind player... so the slightest sensation of stress, or too much adrenalin can really affect the breath".
It's also led to the commissioning of a clarinet concerto based on yoga philosophy.
'SUTRA', a concerto for clarinet, orchestra and electronics, was composed by Wim Henderickx, and a recording of the work was released on the Pentatone label last year.
Music:
Movement 3, Dharana: mind concentration (excerpt), from SUTRA - Annelien Van Wauwe (basset clarinet), NDR Radio Phil/Andrew Manze (Pentatone PTC 5186973)
Mozart's Clarinet
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Annelien Van Wauwe (basset clarinet), Jun Märkl (conductor)
Thursday 29 September, 7.30pm, Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall
