David Z Durant & Esther Lamneck

David Z. Durant (b. 1957, Birmingham, Alabama, USA), is a Professor of Music at the University of South Alabama where he is the Director of the Music Theory and Technology Program. He received his BM and MM from the University of Florida and his DMA from the University of Alabama. His composition teachers have included Andrew Imbrie, Edward Troupin, John D. White, Fred Goossen, Harry Phillips, Marvin Johnson, and James Paul Sain. The piece Esther Lamneck and Durant are presenting at this Sonorities Festival will be its ninth performance including performances in Daegu, South Korea; Morelia and Mexico City, Mexico; and performances in Mobile, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; and New York City in the USA. Durant’s compositions with or for Lamneck on clarinet, tárogató, and as the director of her new music ensemble have resulted in over 50 performances on three continents.

Esther Lamneck, Clarinet and Tárogató
The New York Times calls Esther Lamneck “an astonishing virtuoso”. She has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras, with renowned chamber music artists and an international roster of musicians from the new music improvisation scene. A versatile performer and an advocate of contemporary music, she is known for her work with electronic media including interactive arts, movement, dance and improvisation. She makes frequent solo appearances at music festivals worldwide. Solo and Duo CDs featuring improvisation and electronic music include “Cigar Smoke”; “ Tárogató ”; “Winds Of The Heart”; “Genoa Sound Cards”; etc. “Sky Rings” for clarinet and electronic music just released on Neuma Records has received rave reviews: “Surrealistically Captivating Electronic Solo Clarinet Sounds from Esther Lamneck” New York Music Daily; “.. fascinating chops and ideas..” jazzweekly.com; OPDUVAL “The music on Sky Rings contains depth and tension and sounds adventurous. A beautiful Album.”