Delve deeper into that which is Sqwonk

Repertoire:

Bach, J.S. (arr. Sqwonk): Toccata and Fugue in d minor

Bach: Prelude from Cello Suite in G major, a la Steve Reich

Becker, Dan: Better Late

Boots, Cornelius: Sojourn of the Face*

Brown, Ryan: KNEE GAS (ON)*

Dicke, Ian: Profiteering*

Gribble, Benjamin: Contannister Bellows*

Holt, James: Action Items

Mellits, Marc: Black*

Novik, Aaron: Strict9*

Phelps, Benjamin: A Musical Offering*

Puntin, Michael: L’ultimo abraccio

Reich, Steve (arr. Sqwonk): Nagoya Marimbas

Russell, Jonathan: KlezDuo*

Russell: ...and the Beast...*

Russell: Double Concerto*

Schorn, Steffen: The Opener

Thomson, Ken: Undo*

Waitkus, Damon: Valediction*

Wagner, Richard (arr. Sqwonk): Wedding March

* indicates piece was commissioned by Sqwonk

Sqwonk: The Bio
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$ The San Francisco-based Sqwonk bass clarinet duo is a dynamic and adventurous ensemble devoted to exploring the full expressive range of the bass clarinet, from deep resonances to raucous wails. Though grounded in the classical tradition, Sqwonk plays music that draws on a wide range of influences, from klezmer to heavy metal to blues to avant-garde improvisation, creating a repertoire that is both contemporary and broadly accessible to a wide audience.

Formed in the Spring of 2005 by Jeff Anderle and Jonathan Russell, Sqwonk has given over twenty performances throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in the past three years at a wide range of venues and events, including Old First Church, the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Berkeley Arts Festival, the Outsound Music Series, and Classical Jam at the Revolution Café. As a consequence of its mission to develop a new repertoire of bass clarinet duos, Sqwonk has already premiered or commissioned works by some twelve composers, including Ben Gribble, Jonathan Russell, Ian Dicke, Damon Waitkus, Ryan Brown, Ben Phelps, Ken Thomson, Marc Mellits, Aaron Novik, Cornelius Boots, James Holt, and Dan Becker. In 2006, Sqwonk received a Faculty Development grant from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to fund its first CD, which was released in the fall of 2007. Also in the fall of 2007, Sqwonk received a Northern California Composers Commissioning Program grant to fund a new work by composer Ryan Brown.

This past July, Sqwonk appeared as a guest performer at the Bang on a Can Summer Institute in North Adams, MA. Projects for the 2008-2009 season include performances at Noe Valley Ministries and Old First Church in San Francisco, as well as Sqwonk's first east coast tour in December, where it will perform Jonathan Russell's Duo Bass Clarinet Concerto with Washington D.C.'s Great Noise Ensemble, and present shows in New York, Boston, and other cities. Sqwonk is an affiliate of the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music.

Sqwonk: The Creation

$ In a certain sense, Sqwonk came into existence some time in the spring of 2005. This is when Jon Russell and Jeff Anderle started playing bass clarinet duets together, leading up to a joint recital in May, the discovery of the name Sqwonk that autumn, and History soon thereafter. In another, deeper sense, Sqwonk has always existed, in the fiery heart of the volcano, in the primal scream of the pterodactyl, and in the laughter of small children and rodents.

Sqwonk is an affiliate of the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music. If you are a true lover or just a casual fan, you can make a tax-deductible donation through them and we will use it to fund things like commissions, concerts, and future CDs! Donate now.