Konzert für Klarinette und Streichorchester - (2016)   

 

For solo B-flat clarinet and divisi strings, this work is generally through-composed, with sectional pauses but no break between movements. Its title is in German for having been composed in Berlin and thinking of several fine players here which have impressed over the years. The opening dance in a quasi-popular vein is begun with the strings in the tonic minor of F.

 

 

The solo clarinet enters with enthusiasm to join the strings, as the celli and contrabass accentuate the bass line pesante.

A second mood in a lyrical 6/8 meter and the relative major of A flat breaks from the opening square four, its center section slowing to quarter equals 48 as the highest register for clarinet and violins moves to a sweetly dissonant half cadence before a return to the lyrical mood.

 

The  third movement begins in D flat before a second statement in A flat. A middle section marked quarter equals 30 allows quasi-cantorial flights of scales included the augmented second, followed by a return to the central theme of the movement.

 

The fourth movement begins by touching both F minor and A flat major, before the clarinet enters in an energetic romp of contrapuntal interplay between voices. Secondary thematic material highlights syncopations, followed by a slower tempo which is a short formal fugue as episodic material. 

 

 

A recapitulation of the main theme of the first movement follows before a lessening of tension and cadenza for the solo clarinet. Restatement of the fourth movement's theme ends the work.

 

 

 

21 pages, circa 14' 40" - an MP3 demo is here: 

 

The score and parts are available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this score.

 

Konzert für Klarinette und Streichorchester

Full score - A4 edition