• Wanderlust-Inspired Compositions

    One of the unexpected effects of moving to Paris has been my increasing sense of wanderlust, or the desire to travel and explore new places.  A quick search on Pinterest or Instagram will reveal that I’m not alone – it’s human nature to dream of faraway places.  Visiting other cities, countries, and continents expands our cultural appreciation and knowledge of the world.  New environments force our brains to think differently than usual, often resulting in surges of creativity. Wanderlust (whether fulfilled or not) has resulted in some magnificent pieces of classical music throughout history.  Listen to these pieces and take a journey around the world without even leaving your home! Ralph…

  • A Clarinetist’s Guide to Paris

    When most people think of Paris, images of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and other famous monuments come to mind.  These are all must-sees for any tourist, but I’ve collected a few places clarinetists shouldn’t miss.  So, if you’re a clarinetist and planning on visiting Paris in the future, here are my recommendations of places to see and things to do:   Instrument Manufacturers, Repairs & Accessories Vandoren Paris: Not only is 56 Rue Lepic the culmination of 110 years of quality clarinet and saxophone accessories, but Vandoren’s Paris headquarters houses an impressive collection of clarinet sheet music, recordings, and books.  You can also try any piece of Vandoren equipment in one…

  • 7 Deadly Clarinet Sins

    Gluttony: Thou shalt not partake in too much of one composer, instead exploring the vast landscape which clarinet repertoire has to offer. Pride: If thou believes that he or she is without fault, let them be reminded of the Nielsen, Francaix, Tomasi, and Corigliano concerti. Let them also be reminded that even the greatest clarinetist can be humbled by a bad reed.  Pride (and a bad reed) goeth before a fall. Greed: Thou shalt not hoard and covet thy equipment and accessories. Only purchase what is necessary and refrain from debates on online clarinet forums. Lust: Thou shalt not lust after the success, equipment, career, or performances of another clarinetist.…

  • My First Year in Paris in 10 Photos

    Here’s the part where I tell everyone how quickly the time has flown during my first year in Paris – an overused cliché, but true nonetheless.  After a whirlwind year, things are finally slowing down enough for me to breathe and get caught up on some much-needed blog posts and updates.  Instead of a long-winded account of my year, I thought it would be better to choose 10 meaningful photos from this past year and say a little about each one. (Disclaimer: Some photos are from my travels and aren’t technically in Paris.) I would be remiss to not include a photo of Philippe Cuper, who is the main reason I moved…