The New York composer Jerome Kern, who lived from 1885 to 1945, is one of the most important and prolific American composers of musical theatre, having written approximately 1000 songs in over 100 stage works. In a career spanning over 4 decades he wrote the music for dozens of Broadway musicals and Hollywood films, collaborating with many of the leading librettists and lyricists of his era.
Rick Wilkins originally wrote his magnificent Kern Fantasy for piano, clarinet and cello, and later adapted it for piano, violin and cello with bass added for both versions. Ensemble Vivant is delighted to have the opportunity to present the world premiere recording of both the clarinet and violin versions of Rick Wilkins’ gorgeous Kern Fantasy, which like all of his arrangements, is an exquisite composition unto itself.
