Born to play

British clarinet virtuoso Julian Bliss. Photo: supplied.
British clarinet virtuoso Julian Bliss. Photo: supplied.

Playing for the Queen when he was just 13 rates as one of Julian Bliss' top experiences. He tells Rebecca Fox he is looking forward to his visit to Dunedin with the NZTrio.

Julian Bliss' interest in music came out of the blue, or more specifically, from what he blew first.

From a "non-musical family'' he pestered his family for music lessons until they relented, sending him to a music school where he tried various instruments.

"I didn't want to play a string instrument. I'm not sure why. I was handed a plastic clarinet and within a couple of minutes I knew.''

He was 4 years old. And the rest is, as they say, history.

Bliss is now 27 years old and one of the world's finest clarinetists.

Performing for the Queen at her Golden Jubilee celebrations the day before he was due to turn 13 still rates as his No 1 concert so far.

"It was an experience like no other. It was huge. I got to meet the Queen afterwards. I would not mind going back to that one - it was unbelievable. Words can't describe it.''

A chamber musician and jazz artist, he has played with some of the world's top orchestras.

He also has a clarinet named after him which he helped design, is patron of the Mayor of London's Fund for Young Musicians and regularly holds master classes and lectures in the United States.

However, it took Bliss a while to realise he could make music his career.

"It wasn't until I was older. I always enjoyed doing it as a kid but I never thought about a career as a musician.''

It was not until he had the chance to perform in concerts that he realised there was the potential to turn what he enjoyed doing into a career.

"What could be better than that.''

Bliss loved the performance aspect of his career, walking out on stage and playing to the audience.

"It must be the adrenaline rush or something.''

He started playing professionally in 2002 and had not looked back.

Despite his accomplishments at a young age he continued to try to better and improve his performances.

"In a lot of ways I'm only getting started. There is so much more I want to do in all areas I'm involved in.''

The variety of the job appealed, as did travelling to other countries, playing with different groups and orchestras in an ever-changing industry.

"I like change and challenge so this is perfect for me. I'm incredibly lucky to travel to fantastic places.''

While he played both jazz and classical, he believed he was "better at'' playing classical.

"I enjoy both for different reasons. Classical is my forte.''

Hearing audiences' reactions to hearing a clarinet solo, often for the first time, as solos by violin and piano were more common, was rewarding.

"It's a very diverse instrument and creates different sounds. Which is sort of what I like. It's like the human voice, there are unlimited sounds and colour to create.''

As for what kind of music he enjoyed listening to, he was not "picky''.

"I'll listen to pretty much anything.''

What he did listen to or practised was dictated by his schedule and his mood. "It's very dependent on how I feel on the day.''

He highly rates a concert with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) last year where he played Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto, written for the legendary swing player Benny Goodman.

"It was fantastic. Very jazzy. Very challenging.''

In his performance in Dunedin with the NZTrio he will be playing a newly commissioned work written specifically for him by New Zealand composer Ross Harris - There may be light.

"It's incredibly challenging. It's a challenge to even learn the piece let alone perform it. But constantly pushing the boundaries is always exciting.''

The programme in Dunedin opens with Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie for clarinet and piano and Milhaud's Suite for violin, clarinet and piano.

"Some of the pieces I will be playing with the trio are very challenging.''

The new piece uses "multi-phonics'' - the art of playing more than one note at the same time.

"It's a lot of fun and creates a really interesting sound that the audience might not have heard before.''

Performing was his number one priority but being able to diversify was important, so when musical instrument manufacturers Conn-Selmer approached him 10 years ago to work with him he took the opportunity.

"I was focused on playing and never considered this, didn't know I could do this.

"I thought long and hard about it, but not many people get an opportunity like this.''

Clarinets had traditionally been expensive instruments so the challenge was to make high quality but affordable ones, he said.

His involvement led to the design and launch of the Leblanc Bliss range of affordable clarinets and more than 30,000 Bliss instruments have been sold in the past seven years.

The aim was to save children who were just starting to play from having to buy inferior instruments which affected their wish to play.

"These are really good instruments which last a long time and can take them through the years.''

Going into a band room and seeing children playing "his'' instrument gave him a sense of pride.

The process was hard work in the beginning.

"There were many sleepless nights and a lot of learning.''

He would not turn back the clock though, as working with a large corporate had a big influence on his life in ways "he could not imagine''.

"It's a lot of fun.''

While he does not get the time to teach, he often takes masterclasses, especially in the United States, where he goes to a lot of schools to speak about his career.

"I tell them if they want something enough, they can have it. It just takes a lot of work and dedication. Anything is possible.''

He enjoyed being able to give back to the younger generation.

While in New Zealand he will conduct a masterclass in Wellington and he and NZTrio will adjudicate for the New Zealand Community Trust National Chamber Music Finals in Auckland next month.

The tour also launches the Chamber Music New Zealand's Prelude Series with a performance by emerging young professional musicians, The Tui Quartet, in Dunedin.

The Prelude Series will encompass artist interviews, panel discussions, interactive question and answer sessions, performances and other extra events offered to enrich and enhance the concert experience. These events will be held prior to concerts in CMNZ Kaleidoscopes Series centres where possible and are free.

 


To see

Chamber Music New Zealand presents: Julian Bliss and NZTrio, Glenroy Auditorium, August 1 

 


 

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