The Kell Wind Trio is named after the pioneering English clarinettist, Reginald Kell who was one of the first players to play the clarinet with vibrato.
In early to mid 20th century England, this was ground-breaking and Kell often had to put up with great opposition. The most famous story about him concerned the famous conductor Wilhem Furtwängler. In the middle of a rehearsal of Wagner’s opera “Tristan and Isolde” at Covent Garden, Furtwängler stopped the orchestra and for no apparent reason pointed to Reginald Kell and asked him for his name. Kell was convinced that Furtwängler was going to criticize his vibrato and reluctantly spelt his name out. “Then Mr. Kell”, replied Furtwängler, “I would like you to know, you are the first clarinettist I have heard who plays from the heart.”
The three members of the Kell Wind Trio have always held the playing and the quietly determined nature of Reginald Kell in the greatest of esteem. They hope that the naming of their group after this great musician will allow the ground-breaking nature of Kell’s career to be remembered.
In early to mid 20th century England, this was ground-breaking and Kell often had to put up with great opposition. The most famous story about him concerned the famous conductor Wilhem Furtwängler. In the middle of a rehearsal of Wagner’s opera “Tristan and Isolde” at Covent Garden, Furtwängler stopped the orchestra and for no apparent reason pointed to Reginald Kell and asked him for his name. Kell was convinced that Furtwängler was going to criticize his vibrato and reluctantly spelt his name out. “Then Mr. Kell”, replied Furtwängler, “I would like you to know, you are the first clarinettist I have heard who plays from the heart.”
The three members of the Kell Wind Trio have always held the playing and the quietly determined nature of Reginald Kell in the greatest of esteem. They hope that the naming of their group after this great musician will allow the ground-breaking nature of Kell’s career to be remembered.