The Barcelona Clarinet Players are a quartet of versatile clarinetists with a very wide trajectory and number of published works. Innovation, fusion, interdisciplinarity and pedagogy are some of the concepts that best define the creative path of this ensemble. Their performances are known by their meticulous chamber work and a curated and energetic staging.
Shortly after its formation, the BCP were invited to participate in the Fifth National Clarinet Congress and the Second European Clarinet Congress held in Madrid in December 2011, and later in festivals such as Festival Otoño Musical Soriano, Fira Tárrega, Fiestas de la Mercè de Barcelona, Sirga Festival of Contemporary Music or Summer Festival of Mao. They have performed at he main Music Halls in Spain such as Auditorio 400 from Madrid, Palau de la Música de Valencia, Auditori de Barcelona or ADDA, and in countries such as France, Austria, Belgium, USA or Mexico.
The quartet works in close collaboration with Auditori of Barcelona where they performed their first concert in January 2013, followed by the premier of the cycle Denominació d'Origen and the successful production of Ideas del frío (Cold Thoughts) within the cycle Escenes (Scenes) in collaboration with Clown Leandre. During 2016, they will premier the concert Planeta Clarinet (Planet Clarinet) commisioned by Auditori's educational service and intended for families and children aged 0-8 in particular.
BCP have appeared as soloists with Banda Municipal de Palma, Banda Municipal de Bilbao, Banda Municipal de Barcelona, Banda Sinfónica de las Américas, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, North Texas Wind Symphony or OJC Orchestra under Eugene Corporon, Tim Reynish, José Rafael Pascual Vilaplana, Luís Serrano or Óscar Navarro among others.
BCP have recorded five albums. Toma café, with music by the great saxophonist Pedro Iturralde, Czernowitzer Skizzen with music by Alexander Kukelka, Égloga: New flamenco for clarinets and voice with music by Enric Palomar featuring the great cantaor Pere Martinez and Offertorium, with works by five of the most important composers in Europe or the latest released One for all, recorded with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and North Texas Wind Symphony conducted by Eugene Corporon.
Current projects of the BCP includes the premiere of La Trace with music by José Manuel López López and the images by the videoartist Pascal Auger and two new recordings: The Black Pool Suite by Joan Vidal and a very special album with chamber music by Paquito D’Rivera.
Javier Vilaplana González (Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet), Manuel Martínez Minguez (Bb clarinet), Martí Guasteví Olives (basset horn), Alejandro Castillo Vega (bass clarinet).
Photo credit: Ricardo Rios
