Yona Ettlinger
Encyclopedia
Yona Ettlinger was a clarinet
ist who played and taught in Israel
, France
and England
. Ettlinger is considered a prominent classical clarinetist of his generation, and one of Israel’s notable instrumentalists. His musicianship and unique sound influenced the art of clarinet playing in Israel and Europe
in the second half of the 20th century. Many clarinet soloists and orchestra players of different countries were among his students.
, Germany
, and immigrated with his family to Palestine
in 1933. The family lived in Tel Aviv
, where Ettlinger studied piano
, and later on the clarinet. His main clarinet teacher was Tzvi Tsipin. Ettlinger continued his studies in the United States
and France, where he studied with the clarinetist Louis Cahuzac
. His composition
teacher was the Israeli composer Paul Ben-Haim
.
Between 1947 and 1964, Ettlinger was first clarinetist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
, and played under conductor
s Zubin Mehta
, Sergiu Celibidache
, and Paul Paray
among others. Ettlinger took part in forming some of Israel’s leading chamber ensembles, including the Tel Aviv Quartet, with which he performed and recorded until his death. With the Tel Aviv Quartet and with pianist Pnina Salzman
, Ettlinger performed in some of the major festivals and cultural centers in the United States, South America
, Europe, Australia
and the Far East
. He also appeared as conductor with the Israel Chamber Orchestra
and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra
. Some of the prominent Israeli composers in his time wrote pieces for him, including the composers Tzvi Avni
, Ben-Zion Orgad
, Mordechai Seter
and Josef Tal.
In 1964, Ettlinger moved to Paris
, where he taught clarinet and studied composition with the compositor and conductor Nadia Boulanger
. In 1966, he joined the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
in London
as a professor of clarinet and conductor of the school’s symphony orchestra.
Yona Ettlinger died suddenly in London in 1981 of heart disease
at the age of 57.
, RCA
and Harmonia Mundi
. In addition, many of his concerts were recorded by Kol Yisrael
, Israel's radio service. One of Ettlinger’s most acclaimed recordings is his performance of Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet
together with the Tel Aviv Quartet, which appeared in the 1960s on a Decca record, and is considered one of the outstanding recorded interpretations of this piece. The recording was reissued in the 1980s as a Sony
CD for limited distribution. This CD also featured another recording by Ettlinger and the Tel Aviv Quartet, of Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet
.
s from the Baroque
and the early Classical
period.
Additional arrangements by Ettlinger for concerti
by Pergolesi
, Handel
and Veracini
are performed by Ettlinger’s many followers, but have not appeared in print.
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
ist who played and taught in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Ettlinger is considered a prominent classical clarinetist of his generation, and one of Israel’s notable instrumentalists. His musicianship and unique sound influenced the art of clarinet playing in Israel and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in the second half of the 20th century. Many clarinet soloists and orchestra players of different countries were among his students.
Life
Ettlinger was born in 1924 in MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and immigrated with his family to Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
in 1933. The family lived in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, where Ettlinger studied piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, and later on the clarinet. His main clarinet teacher was Tzvi Tsipin. Ettlinger continued his studies in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and France, where he studied with the clarinetist Louis Cahuzac
Louis Cahuzac
Louis Cahuzac was a French clarinetist and composer. Cahuzac was an outstanding performer and one of the few clarinetists who made a career as a soloist in the first part of the 20th century....
. His composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
teacher was the Israeli composer Paul Ben-Haim
Paul Ben-Haim
Paul Ben-Haim was an Israeli composer. Born Paul Frankenburger in Munich, Germany, he studied composition with Friedrich Klose and he was assistant conductor to Bruno Walter and Hans Knappertsbusch from 1920 to 1924...
.
Between 1947 and 1964, Ettlinger was first clarinetist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the leading symphony orchestra in Israel. It was originally known as the Palestine Orchestra, and in Hebrew as התזמורת הסימפונית הארץ ישראלית The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (abbreviation IPO; Hebrew: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit...
, and played under conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
s Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
, Sergiu Celibidache
Sergiu Celibidache
- Biography :Celibidache was born in Roman, Romania, and began his studies in music with the piano, after which he studied music, philosophy and mathematics in Bucharest, Romania and then in Paris...
, and Paul Paray
Paul Paray
Paul Paray was a French conductor, organist and composer. He is best remembered in the United States for being the resident conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for more than a decade. He married Yolande Falck on 25 August 1944.-Biography:Paray's father, Auguste, was a sculptor and organist...
among others. Ettlinger took part in forming some of Israel’s leading chamber ensembles, including the Tel Aviv Quartet, with which he performed and recorded until his death. With the Tel Aviv Quartet and with pianist Pnina Salzman
Pnina Salzman
Pnina Salzman was an Israeli classical pianist and piano pedagogue....
, Ettlinger performed in some of the major festivals and cultural centers in the United States, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, Europe, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
. He also appeared as conductor with the Israel Chamber Orchestra
Israel Chamber Orchestra
The Israel Chamber Orchestra is an Israeli orchestra based in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Primary funding comes from the Israel Ministry of Education and the Tel Aviv Jaffa Municipality....
and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra
Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra
The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra of the Israel Broadcasting Authority is a major orchestra of Israel...
. Some of the prominent Israeli composers in his time wrote pieces for him, including the composers Tzvi Avni
Tzvi Avni
Tzvi Avni is an Israeli composer.-Biography:He was born in Saarbrücken, Germany, and emigrated to Mandate Palestine as a child. He studied with Paul Ben-Haim....
, Ben-Zion Orgad
Ben-Zion Orgad
Ben-Zion Orgad was an Israeli composer....
, Mordechai Seter
Mordechai Seter
-Biography:Seter was born Mordachai Staromsky in Novorossiysk, Russia, in 1916 and emigrated with his family to Mandate Palestine in 1926.He learned to play the piano from the age of seven in Russia, and continued with his lessons and studies in Tel Aviv...
and Josef Tal.
In 1964, Ettlinger moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where he taught clarinet and studied composition with the compositor and conductor Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor and teacher who taught many composers and performers of the 20th century.From a musical family, she achieved early honours as a student at the Paris Conservatoire, but believing that her talent as a composer was inferior to that of her younger...
. In 1966, he joined the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as a professor of clarinet and conductor of the school’s symphony orchestra.
Yona Ettlinger died suddenly in London in 1981 of heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
at the age of 57.
Recordings
During his lifetime, records by Ettlinger appeared with DeccaDecca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
and Harmonia Mundi
Harmonia Mundi
Harmonia Mundi is an independent music record label founded in 1958 by Bernard Coutaz in Arles . The Latin phrase means "world harmony"....
. In addition, many of his concerts were recorded by Kol Yisrael
Kol Yisrael
Kol Yisrael is Israel's public domestic and international radio service, operated as a division of the Israel Broadcasting Authority.-History:...
, Israel's radio service. One of Ettlinger’s most acclaimed recordings is his performance of Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet
Clarinet Quintet (Brahms)
Johannes Brahms's Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 was written in 1891 for the clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld. It is widely regarded as Brahms's supreme achievement in chamber music.The piece is known for its autumnal mood...
together with the Tel Aviv Quartet, which appeared in the 1960s on a Decca record, and is considered one of the outstanding recorded interpretations of this piece. The recording was reissued in the 1980s as a Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
CD for limited distribution. This CD also featured another recording by Ettlinger and the Tel Aviv Quartet, of Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet
Clarinet Quintet (Mozart)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, K. 581, was written in 1789 for the clarinetist Anton Stadler. A clarinet quintet is a work for one clarinet and a string quartet . Although originally written for basset clarinet, it is almost always played on a clarinet in A or B-flat...
.
Arrangements for the Clarinet
In addition to his career as soloist, orchestra player, conductor and teacher, Ettlinger added to the clarinet literature a couple of important arrangementArrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
s from the Baroque
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
and the early Classical
Classical period (music)
The dates of the Classical Period in Western music are generally accepted as being between about 1750 and 1830. However, the term classical music is used colloquially to describe a variety of Western musical styles from the ninth century to the present, and especially from the sixteenth or...
period.
Additional arrangements by Ettlinger for concerti
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
by Pergolesi
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was an Italian composer, violinist and organist.-Biography:Born at Iesi, Pergolesi studied music there under a local musician, Francesco Santini, before going to Naples in 1725, where he studied under Gaetano Greco and Francesco Feo among others...
, Handel
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel was a German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Handel was born in 1685, in a family indifferent to music...
and Veracini
Francesco Maria Veracini
thumb|150px|Francesco Maria Veracini.Francesco Maria Veracini was an Italian composer and violinist, perhaps best known for his sets of violin sonatas.-Life:Francesco Maria Veracini led a turbulent life...
are performed by Ettlinger’s many followers, but have not appeared in print.
External links
- CDs with Doremi Records
- YouTube: Mozart's Clarinet Quintet played by Ettlinger and the Tel Aviv Quartet
- YouTube: Third Movement from Brahms' Trio Op. 114, with Ettlinger, Pnina Salzman (Piano) and Uzi Wiesel (cello).
- Concerto by Pergolesi arranged by Ettlinger, performed by clarinetist Eli EbanEli EbanEli Eban is an Israeli-American clarinetist and son of the venerable late Israeli diplomat Abba Eban.-Education:Eli Eban was born in New York and received his early musical training in Israel, studying the clarinet with Richard Lesser and Yona Ettlinger...
and Tel Aviv Soloists conducted by Barak Tal.