Edward Palanker, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet

Contact me at either palanker@aol.com or epalank1@peabody.jhu.edu or by phone at 410-527.0734

Dear Clarinet Student, I would like to introduce myself to you and would be happy to send you a demo CD of my playing as well as offer you a "get acquainted" lesson if you can come to Baltimore. Please contact me if you wish either or both.

I've been a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for over 40 years, perform regularly on the BSO's Music by Candlelight Chamber Music series and play principal clarinet with the Choral Arts Society of Baltimore. My principal clarinet teachers where Leon Russianoff, Eric Simon and bass clarinet with Joe Allard. Other studies were with Robert Marcellus, Anthony Gigliotti, Earl Bates and Bernard Portnoy. I performed in hundreds of concerts as the Principal Clarinetist of The Eastern Music Festival Philharmonic for 25 years, where I performed all the standard clarinet concertos from Mozart to Nielsen and the entire standard chamber music repertoire. I was previously a member of the Halifax Symphony Orchestra, 2nd & ass. 1st, Orchestra Piccolo, co-principal, Res Musica, American Wind Symphony, Theater Chamber Players, Towson Fine Arts Wind Quintet & Chamber Players and The Kinhaven Music Festival. I've been awarded a Professor Emeritus from Towson University having taught there for 33 years, written dozens of articles for The International Clarinet Journal, recorded several solo and ensemble works as well as many recordings with the BSO. I have also given master classes and recitals at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, Three ICA ClarinetFests, St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia, Manhattan School of Music's visiting orchestra series and the Peabody Conservatory of Music where I've taught since 1992. Many of my former students are performing in major orchestras and military bands throughout the USA including Ricardo Morales, principal clarinetist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Teaching philosophy:

I try to follow the Russianoff tradition. Leon Russianoff was a renowned teacher who had studied with Daniel Bonade and Simeon Bellison. He developed a unique style of teaching where every student was treated as an individual. Everyone does not have to play the same way or on the same equipment to produce a beautiful sound and a strong sense of musicianship. I try to emulate his style. I'm not interested in creating clones. Every student has a style that they can excel in, I help to develop it.

Bass Clarinet and E flat Clarinet:

I offer my students the opportunity to learn both of these important orchestral instruments and their repertoire. Each of my students has the opportunity to get up to one year of free bass clarinet if they wish. Remember, every orchestra has a clarinet- bass clarinet player. I am also well versed in the repertoire and methods of playing Eb clarinet, every orchestra also requires that either the second or the assistant first play Eb clarinet.

Some Reviews, Letters and Biography:

Greensboro News & Record - Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto - Edward Palanker was the soloist in this splendid performance. Palanker's tone shows tremendous range and variety. He seems effortlessly to go from the dark and moody to a rich vibrancy, and then to a sound which is forward and sassy. And sometimes within a single musical context.

The Clarinet Journal - Recording of Music by Theldon Myers for Bb clarinet and Piano, Shall-U-Mo Publications - Mr. Palanker's dark tone quality is well-suited to the contemplative and melancholy moods inherent in this music. His performance is convincingly executed and appears to convey fully the composer's intentions. The rapport between clarinet and piano is excellent.

Greensboro Record - Copland Concerto - The soloist, Edward Palanker conveyed his feelings of the piece in the well-defined ways he developed the rise and fall of the melodic line. He presented the melody with a beautiful , relaxed feeling. ..This transition (cadenza) was strikingly executed by the soloist.

The Baltimore Sun - Clarinetist Edward Palanker explored the subtle, sensual soundscape of Debussy's Premiere Rapsodie in sweet-toned phrases. (Candle Light Series)

Greensboro Record - Palanker's playing of this charming concerto (Weber #2) was one of florid virtuosity, great beauty and eloquence; the second movement was especially impressive with its neatly turned phrases and beautiful sounds.

Greensboro Record - A sensitive reading of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto by Edward Palanker...It poses its greatest challenge to the player's musicianship... Clarinetist Palanker more than met the challenge with his smooth refined playing. From the flowing first movement through the songful Adagio to the graceful, lilting Rondo.

The Baltimore Sun, Faculty recital at Peabody - Bartok Contrasts, Palanker certainly demonstrated a stylish flair for the material. Beethoven Trio op. 11, Palanker's seamless tone, effortless articulation and warm-hearted phrasing could be readily appreciated, especially in the slow movement; the finale found the clarinetist reveling in Beethoven's cheeky wit. Suttermeister Capriccio, the clarinetist's assured performance was attentive to every shift in dynamics,every good-humored turn of phrase.

The Baltimore Sun, Music by Candlelight Series, Quartet for the End of Time. Technically, there was much to admire, especially in the "Dance of Fury". Palanker's solo in "Abyss of the Birds" masterfully caught the mesmerizing tautness, lyricism, expectancy and uncertainty.

Letter from Boris Brott, Guest Conductor, Eastern Philharmonic. Your playing was truly magnificent and particularly the incredible pianissimo and your gorgeous sound quality was captivating. (after performance of The Pines of Rome)