Clarinet and Piano Duet — In Progress — For My Father
The final composition will extend beyond any conventional musical form. I am composing all of the instrumental parts — I never studied music composition. Harry Jay Rubin — "Bud Rubin" — was a musical prodigy. Bud Rubin grew up in a middle-class house in Brownsville, PA in the 1930s and 40s, attended Brownsville High, and played the clarinet on Pittsburgh radio in his teens. He was also the 1946 Brownsville High valedictorian. He also ran track and set a Pittsburgh area record in the 400, which remained unsurpassed for many years. After graduating from Yale Law School in 1953. When I was a child, my Father, after returning from his law office, after family supper, would then drive to Baltimore once a week where Ignatius "Iggy" Gennusa, first clarinetist of the Baltimore Symphony, was coaching him, but not for long. Iggy resigned — telling my father "I have nothing more to coach you on." He told my Dad that he was more naturally talented — with better tone — than a number of full-time professional clarinetists.
Iggy asked my father to perform with him in Baltimore. They gave a chamber music performance. He also played with the York Symphony when their first clarinetist was not around. Ignatius Gennusa would not have put his own reputation on the line and asked my Dad to perform with him just to be a nice guy. My Dad had pro-level musical talent. He was no amateur...just too humble about everything.
