In Conversation with Music of the Baroque Musicians
As part of our ongoing feature, In Conversation with Music of the Baroque Musicians, we’re pleased to share this interview with the “other half” of our clarinet section, Daniel Won. (You can see our first interview, with principal clarinetist Steve Cohen, here.)
Dan has a versatile music career as a performer and educator, playing regularly with Chicago Philharmonic, Joffrey Ballet, eighth blackbird, and Chicago Symphony's MusicNOW. He has performed with the Chicago Chamber Musicians, Alabama Symphony, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Walt Disney-Grammy Collegiate Orchestra in Orlando, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Dan, as we discussed with Steve Cohen earlier this week, the clarinet is not used in a great deal of Baroque music. From your perspective, what changes in the orchestra when we finally add the clarinets?
The clarinet is one of the most versatile instruments in the orchestra. The dark, rich tone of the lower "chalumeau" register, the resonant, brighter, voice-like "clarion" register, and the upper "altissimo" register together provide composers limitless possibilities for timbre and character. The clarinet is able to produce beautiful lyrical passages as well as fast, virtuosic, lines in a wide range of four octaves. Clarinets also blend very well with both the woodwinds and the brass.
You’re joining us for a Mozart symphony this month. What impact do you think Mozart had on the development of the clarinet repertoire?
Even though several composers before Mozart had contributed to the clarinet repertoire, Mozart was the first composer to truly write timeless masterpieces for the instrument. He had a close relationship with a clarinet virtuoso, Anton Stadler. That was crucial to Mozart writing the Clarinet Concerto (K622) as well as the Trio (K498) and the Quintet (K581), all of which are still among the most performed clarinet pieces. His use of clarinets in operas and late symphonies greatly helped the instrument transition from a supporting role to a prominent voice of the orchestra.
What has been your favorite piece or concert with Music of the Baroque?
The Requiem in D Minor by Mozart. I was very fortunate to have performed that piece twice (2010 and 2014) with Music of the Baroque. Performing one of the greatest pieces ever written with the Music of the Baroque orchestra, chorus, and soloists, under Jane and Nicholas, is definitely among my favorite MOB experiences.
Steve Cohen and Daniel Won, captured backstage with their basset horns after a performance of the Mozart Requiem
What musical experiences are you most looking forward to in 2016?
I look forward to playing many different types and genres of music with various ensembles in 2016. I feel very fortunate to be able to perform operas, ballets, symphonic works, contemporary music, and chamber music with some of Chicago's top groups and performers. And of course, playing Mozart's Symphony No. 35 under Jane in just a few weeks!
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not playing the clarinet?
Music education is my other passion, and when I'm not playing the clarinet, I serve as Director of Programs in Performance Studies at Merit School of Music in Chicago's West Loop. I take great pride in being able to utilize my musical experience and knowledge towards transforming the lives of thousands of Chicago-area students by providing high-quality music education.
Dan with graduating seniors from the Merit School of Music
Hear Dan and Steve in Mozart’s “Haffner” Symphony on January 24 and 25. For tickets, click here.