Walter Mourant

Music by Walter Byron Mourant

(1910-1995)

Mourant was a prolific composer who studied composition with Bernard Rogers and Howard Hanson at the Eastman School of Music and with Bernard Wagenaar at the Julliard School. His compositions include numerous orchestral, choral, and chamber works. The clarinet was one of his favorite instruments. His Swing Low, Sweet Clarinet would be a musical “hit” and heard regularly on the radio in the 1940’s.

Some music for clarinet by Walter Mourant, recently performed by Nancy Ackerman, includes:

  • Nocturne for Clarinet and Piano (1972)
  • Prelude for Clarinet and Piano “Memories of New Orleans” (1979)
  • Burlesca (1982)
  • Dance of the Potted Puppet (1986)
  • Evening Song for Eight Clarinets (1986)
  • Overture to a Puppet Show (1990)
  • Clarinade by Mel Powell, edited by Walter Mourant (1943)

More information regarding Walter Mourant’s clarinet music can be found in The Clarinet, Vol 38, No. 2 (March 2011).

Nancy had the honor of presenting a PowerPoint Lecture on the clarinet music of Walter Mourant, and to perform two of his works at the 2014 ClarinetFest in Baton Rouge, LA.

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