Philippe Gaubert

Fantaisie

Philippe Gaubert (1879-1941) was a distinguished performer on the Flute. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that his compositions for woodwind are at the forefront of the musical family's repertoire, Fantasy for Clarinet being no exception. After a prominent career as a flautist with the Paris Opéra, Gaubert was appointed as professor of Flute at the Paris Conservatoire, as well as principal conductor of leading orchestras. It was during this time that Gaubert composed, including his Fantasy for Clarinet, which he wrote towards the beginning of his career. Addressing many technical features, including flourishing semiquaver passages, a wide range, lyrical melodies, intervals, chromaticism and complex rhythms, Fantasy is a challenging, yet riveting and stirring piece for aspiring advanced clarinetists.