Music
of John G. MacKay Jr.
and Mark Sforzini
Karen Dannessa,
Clarinet
Henry Grabb, Oboe & English Horn
Kenneth Boulton,
Piano
________________________________________________
Be sure to visit our
Listen page.
John G. MacKay Jr.
Sonata #1 for Clarinet and
Piano
(1990)
Allegro
v
Andante
v
Allegro
__________________________________
John G. MacKay Jr.
Sonata #3 for Clarinet and
Piano
(1995)
Leggiero
v
Andante comodo
v
Waltz-like
v
In a Lyrical Manner
and with Movement
_____________________________________
Mark Sforzini
Two American Sketches for
Clarinet and English Horn
(1996)
Song of the Prairie
v
Atlantic City Rock
_____________________________________
John G. MacKay Jr.
Romance for Oboe,
Clarinet, and Piano
(1997)
v
With Motion
____________________________________
Produced by Farracone The Music Centre,
Exton, PA
Copyright © 2002 Karen
Dannessa All rights reserved
_______________________________________________
"Praise is due Karen Dannessa for
producing a CD of music that is so unique and virtually unknown, and her
playing reveals a mature musicality."
The Clarinet, the
International Clarinet Association Journal
Sept. 2003, Vol. 30 #4
______________________________________________
Dr.
Karen Dannessa
is an
assistant professor in the school of music at West Chester University of
Pennsylvania, where she teaches applied clarinet.
She is an active recitalist,
teacher, and adjudicator. Recent performances as a
clarinet artist include appearances at numerous regional, national,
and international conventions such as the
International Clarinet Association Convention, the International
Double Reed Society Convention, Montana Clarinet Festival, and
the University of Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium.
In a review of a recent Weill Recital Hall
performance, Anthony Aibel states in the New York Concert Review that "the
clarinetist Karen Dannessa brought a fine spirit to the piece playing
perfectly in sync and in tune..." Her performances have also been described
as "...especially lovely...with a full, centered silky tone." (The
Clarinet).
Having an affinity for chamber music, she has
performed extensively with Colloquy, an ensemble dedicated to commissioning
and performing contemporary music. In a recent concert review The Texas
Monitor stated that Colloquy "worked together to create a truly magical
spell" and described the performance as a "tour de force." Other ensembles
Dannessa has performed with are The Serenade Reed Trio, The Tallahassee Reed
Trio, the Midwest Quintet and as a collaborative artist with the Audubon
Quartet.
Her orchestral experience includes performances with
the Northeastern PA Philharmonic, Delaware Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony,
Philadelphia Classical Orchestra, Pennsylvania ProMusica, American Wind
Symphony Orchestra, and Springfield Symphony.
Dr. Dannessa has also published articles and reviews
in the Clarinet.
Her private teachers include Frank Kowalsky, Elsa
Ludewig-Verdehr, Ted Johnson, Joe Edwards, and Jim Forger. She received the
Bachelor of Music in Education from Youngstown State University, the
Master of Music degree in Performance/Woodwind Specialty from Michigan State
University, and the Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University.
Dannessa has served on the faculties of
Clarion University, Pittsburg
State University, and Florida State University.
