The Great Reginald Kell
by Mitchell Estrin
Date Posted: January 09, 2019
Reginald Kell (1906-1981) was a great musician, distinguished concert artist, creative maverick, and clarinet virtuoso. Born in in York, England, Kell began his musical education on the violin but soon switched to the clarinet. His father, Frederick Kell, was a violinist and conductor of the York Symphony Orchestra (from 1932-1937). Kell’s early training as a string player likely contributed to his distinctive style as a clarinetist. His style featured a dramatic sense of rubato, impeccable and elegant phrasing, nimble articulation, and his signature vibrato.
Vibrato has long been a controversial topic for clarinetists. It is documented that Richard Mühlfeld (1856-1907), the renowned German clarinetist for whom Johannes Brahms composed his works for solo clarinet, performed with vibrato. Mühlfeld began his professional career as a violinist and later switched to the clarinet. Unfortunately, there are no known recordings of Mühlfeld.
Kell followed in his father’s and Mühlfeld’s footsteps by beginning on the violin, but became an accomplished clarinetist by the age of 15. He studied clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music under Haydn Draper (1889-1934), the nephew of clarinetist Charles Draper (1869-1952). It is interesting to listen to early recordings by both Haydn and Charles Draper, to note the clarinet lineage which influenced Kell in his formative years.
Haydn Draper – Brahms Trio, Op. 114 (1924)
Charles Draper –Mozart Quintet, K.581, movement 1 (1928)
Reginald Kell's History
Kell ascended rapidly to the highest professional ranks and was appointed to the principal clarinet chair of the Royal Philharmonic Society. He also held several other prestigious principal clarinet positions early in his career, including with the London Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestra. After performing for Arturo Toscanini at the Lucerne Festival, Kell was offered the principal clarinet position in the NBC Symphony in New York, but did not accept the invitation.
During his early career years, Kell established himself as a prominent concert soloist and chamber musician, developing a singular style that set him apart from his peers. His free use of rubato and vibrato was unique among clarinetists of the time. His early training as a string player, high regard for the playing of English oboist Léon Goossens (1897-1988), and his admiration of great singers likely led to Kell’s singing style and free use of vibrato. He was strongly criticized by clarinetists, many believing the clarinet should only be played with a straight tone without any vibrato. Although Kell became a controversial figure in the clarinet world, he was strongly encouraged and revered by a number of leading conductors of the time, who enjoyed his unique vocal approach to the clarinet. This list included maestros Arturo Toscanini, Sir Malcolm Sargent, Wilhelm Furtwängler, and Sir Thomas Beecham.
In preparing this article, I had the pleasure of speaking to Jeffrey Kell, the son of Reginald Kell, about his father’s life and illustrious career. When discussing his father’s unique musical style and the controversy that it caused, Jeffrey stated, "It is difficult when you are breaking new ground. This can be very tough on the individual, but this is how progress is made in the human endeavor. My father never shied away from anything difficult.”
During Kell’s early years, there were not many solo clarinet recordings available. He was the first clarinetist to commercially record a large catalogue of both standard and new repertoire. As a result, he became quite famous around the world. Kell became a crossover artist, long before this term was in vogue, performing and recording a diverse repertoire that included transcriptions and popular music of the time. His performances are noted for their artistic impact and singular style, and have withstood the test of time.
His celebrated live recording in 1937 of the Brahms Quintet with the Busch String Quartet is testament to his great artistry and masterful playing.
"His style featured a dramatic sense of rubato, impeccable and elegant phrasing, nimble articulation, and his signature vibrato." - Mitchell Estrin
Reginald Kell as a Teacher
As a teacher, Kell served on the faculty of the Royal Academy of Music in London for several years. After moving to America in 1948, he served as director of Boosey & Hawkes US Band Instruments Division and was also a faculty member of the Aspen Music Festival. His students included composer Harrison Birtwistle and jazz legend Benny Goodman, who studied the classical repertoire with Kell. Additionally, he authored several important clarinet foundational books, including The Kell Method for Clarinet (a comprehensive course in three volumes), 17 Staccato Studies, and 30 Interpretive Studies.
Kell retired from playing the clarinet in his early fifties. He performed his final concert to great critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. Kell then turned his full creative attention to painting, specializing in watercolors. He began as a landscape artist and eventually turned to painting geometric musical sketches.
Here are two examples of his geometric musical sketches.
Reprinted with permission from Jeffrey Kell
In his later life, Kell lived for a period of time in Carbondale, Colorado and spent his final years in Frankfort, Kentucky. His musical spirit, creative artistry, and virtuosity live on through his many celebrated recordings.
Here are links to a few of the many wonderful recordings made by Reginal Kell:
Mozart Clarinet Concerto
Templeton Pocket Size Sonata No. 1
Dance of the Three Old Maids
About the Author
Mitchell Estrin is Professor of Music Emeritus at the University of Florida where he was founder and music director of the University of Florida Clarinet Ensemble and a University of Florida Research Foundation Professor. He served as the Artistic Director of the Vandoren Clarinet Ensemble Festival and was founder of the Buffet Crampon USA Summer Clarinet Academy. Prof. Estrin was the 20th President of the International Clarinet Association (ICA). He is the author of the biography Stanley Drucker, Clarinet Master published by Carl Fischer and Writing the Vandoren WAVE published by CAMco. His critical edition of the Weber Concertino for Clarinet, Op. 26 is published by Jeanné.
Prof. Estrin is a 2023 recipient of Honorary Membership in the International Clarinet Association. This accolade, marking the highest honor in the clarinet world, is said to acknowledge individuals with a distinguished background in the areas of professional service, teaching, performance, and lifetime achievements.
Mitchell Estrin studied clarinet with Stanley Drucker at The Juilliard School where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. His other influential teachers include Jerome Stowell, Walter Wollwage, Leon Russianoff, Larry Combs, Robert Bloom, and John Moses.
Prior to his academic appointments, he had a 25-year association with the New York Philharmonic. He performed in hundreds of concerts and on 19 international tours with the Philharmonic as principal, second, and E-flat clarinetist under music directors Alan Gilbert, Lorin Maazel, Kurt Masur, Zubin Mehta, Pierre Boulez, Leonard Bernstein, and many distinguished guest conductors including Erich Leinsdorf, Sir Georg Solti, Claudio Abbado, Klaus Tennstedt, Andre Previn, Sir Colin Davis, and Leonard Slatkin. He performed on dozens of recordings with the Philharmonic and on numerous occasions performed with the orchestra on the PBS award winning series, Live From Lincoln Center.
As an international concert artist, Mitchell Estrin has performed in over 40 countries on 5 continents. He performed and recorded the world premiere of The Shadows of October for clarinet and orchestra by Michael Whalen with the Janacek Philharmonic.
“This beautiful and lushly scored tonal piece…. is performed by clarinetist Mitchell Estrin…. He plays beautifully with a lovely colored tone.”
The Clarinet
As a chamber musician, he has performed with such notable ensembles as The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New Arts Trio, American Chamber Winds, at the Newport Music Festival, and was a founding member of the Amadeus Ensemble.
Prof. Estrin has an extensive discography of solo and chamber music and recorded hundreds of television commercials and Hollywood motion-picture soundtracks. He has performed and recorded with many leading popular artists including Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Peter, Paul and Mary, Ray Charles, The Fugees, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson, Smashing Pumpkins, and Natalie Merchant. His motion picture soundtrack credits include recordings for Columbia, Walt Disney, Paramount, MGM, 20th Century Fox, United Artists, and Warner Brothers on feature films including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Alamo, Intolerable Cruelty, The Score, You’ve Got Mail, Primary Colors, Fargo, Batman Forever, Interview with the Vampire, Home Alone 2, Pocahontas, Doc Hollywood, Regarding Henry, The Untouchables, Reds, and Dressed to Kill. His television credits include recordings for ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, HBO, TBS, and ESPN. Prof. Estrin was principal clarinetist for the NBC 75th Anniversary Special; broadcast from the famed NBC Studio 8H in New York City. He has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Phil Donahue Show, the television series Nurse, and in Kramer vs. Kramer, the 1980 Academy Award Winner for Best Picture. His clarinet playing has also been heard on hundreds of television and radio commercials. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences recognized him as a Most Valuable Player nominee for his outstanding performances in the recording studio.
Prof. Estrin has presented recitals, masterclasses, workshops, and seminars at many prestigious educational conferences and institutions. This list includes the Eastman School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, Arizona State University, Florida State University, University of Maryland, University of Alabama, University of Arizona, University of Illinois, University of Texas, Texas State University, Texas A&M University, Midwest Clinic, New York State School Music Association, Connecticut School Music Association, and Florida Music Educators Association. In 2019, he was a guest clinician in Australia at the University of Melbourne. He has performed in recital with clarinetists Stanley Drucker, Karl Leister, and Mark Nuccio.
Widely acclaimed as a conductor and proponent of the clarinet choir, Prof. Estrin has served as director of the International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest® College, Festival, and Professors Clarinet Choirs, Texas State Clarinet Fiesta Clarinet Choir, Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium Clarinet Choir, Texas Clarinet Colloquium Clarinet Choir, and United States Navy Clarinet Choir. He held a Guinness World Record for conducting the world’s largest clarinet choir (367 members) in 2019. He has conducted the University of Florida Clarinet Ensemble throughout the United States and Europe, including three feature recitals at the International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest®. The ensemble has produced four critically acclaimed CD’s for Mark Masters, Christmas Clarinets (2016), Clarinet Choir Classics (2012), Clarinet Thunder (2009), and Wind in the Reeds (2006). Each of these recordings was selected for the Grammy Nomination eligibility list. Prof. Estrin has authored multiple articles on the history, development, repertoire, and logistics of the clarinet choir.
As a music producer and annotator, he has worked on projects with such renowned artists as trombonist Joseph Alessi, jazz pianist Lynne Arriale, and saxophonist Mike Smith. He has produced five clarinet choir CDs for Mark Recording.
Prof. Estrin’s students have performed with such prestigious ensembles as the Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, New York Pops, United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, United States Army Field Band, and West Point Band. His students hold educational positions at several major universities including Indiana University, University of Arizona, University of Florida, and University of South Alabama.
Mitchell Estrin is a Buffet Crampon Legacy Artist and performs exclusively on the Buffet R13 clarinet. As a Vandoren Performing Artist, he endorses and performs exclusively on Vandoren reeds (V.12) and mouthpieces (BD2). Prof. Estrin’s educational articles are published regularly in the Vandoren WAVE and his biography is listed in Who’s Who in Classical Music, Who’s Who in American Music, and Who’s Who in International Music.