‘Victoria Soames Samek’s energy as curator of
Clarinet Classics continues to impress.’
INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW
‘The clarinet world owes her its gratitude.’
AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE
The primary purpose of Clarinet Classics, which I founded in 1992 together with my brother Nicolas Soames, is to provide a focus for clarinet enthusiasts, both performers and listeners alike. Clarinet Classics supplies carefully chosen programmes that are both entertaining and informative, and the label continues to diversify, offering a range of superb performances recorded with care and skill.
Behind the label’s activities is a committed team of clarinettists. Clarinet Classics is able to draw on the expertise of repertoire and recording specialists including Malcolm McMillan, an authority in the area of historical recordings; Paul Harris, author and editor of many educational publications; and Colin Lawson, author of the many specialist clarinet books for Cambridge University Press. Sheila Green is a former pupil of mine – little did she suspect on taking up the clarinet that her professional commitments wou
ld include office manager of Clarinet Classics. A similar fate awaited David Morris, who innocently selected me as his mentor at Trinity College of Music as a mature student. He is now an invaluable member of the team as my business advisor.
Our recording specialists include the staff at the Classical Recording Company (CRC) – director and editor Simon Weir is a clarinet player. His assistant and sound engineer Morgan Robert is a flute player: we can’t all be perfect! Two most important members of the team should not be forgotten – my husband Richard Ralph and Peter Fallows, who pack all orders leaving head office and our South London warehouse. (Peter was the brother of my first teacher and mentor Roger Fallows.) Collectively they support the smooth running of the ever expanding sales and export department. Clarinet Classics is an innovative and exciting recording venture.
The full members of the ever expanding Clarinet Classics team are:
David Morris – Label Consultant
Requested me as a mentor whilst a mature student at Trinity College - a decision he might well now regret! As well as his playing he is also trained in business analysis. His expertise in this area is invaluable in financial decision making.
Malcolm McMillan - Audio Archivist
Has been involved with all of our historic compilations. Malcolm has been collecting records for 49 years! He has most of the important clarinet/saxophone recordings and certainly plenty of the lesser types! He has been a professional clarinettist for 40 years - most of which have been with ballet orchestras.
Richard Ralph – Sales Liaison and Booklet Editor
My long-suffering husband who deals with all the mail-order sales and communication with our mail-order customers, shops and our International distributors. All export orders are now packed and shipped by Select Music & Video Distribution.
Paul Harris – Student liaison Consultant
Known to many people as teacher, author, editor and composer. He has only recently joined the Clarinet Classics team. His invaluable help in the area of serving the students both in CDs and recourses specially tailored to meet the needs of the students over the coming months and years will prove of vital importance.
Steve Bingham – Website Design & Online Shop Management
Steve combines musical knowledge with artistic skills and technical experience to manage and develop our ever expanding site.
Hannah Davies – Booklet & Design
Another recent member of the Clarinet Classics team, she took over the booklet designs from CC0049. The experience and artistic flair which she brings to CD designs and indeed all publicity material both for Clarinet Classics and my publicity material is invaluable.
Joanna Van der Veen - Bookkeeping
Joanna is currently a student studying maths and philosophy at Bristol University. In her spare time she likes to watch European films and is working on becoming fluent in Italian. Sadly not musically trained in any way, but is enjoying the opportunity working for Clarinet Classics is giving her to listen to some excellent musicians.
I hope that Clarinet Classics will continue to reflect and serve the enthusiasm we all have for the delights of the single reed.
Victoria Soames Samek
