Description

This clarinet solo has a slow waltz feel, but in compound duple rather than simple triple time. The soloists’ opening legato melody needs a rich warm tone with some sense of rubato – outside the winter is cold and dark, but by the fire-place all is peaceful and content. Various modulations & key changes in the first half create a changing sense of mood and movement. The main feature of the piece then follows – the interwoven counter-melodies between the soloist and the piano part beginning at bar 32. It is like a warm fire-side conversation, a friendly exchange of opposing ideas that gives meaning to the notion ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its’ parts’. For the best result here, both players should develop a strong ensemble connection. At bar 51 the counter melodies are swapped around – we are both richer for listening and trying to appreciate the others point of view. Such thoughts are at the heart of both my instrumental & vocal composing – that of the ‘evolution of consciousness’.

sample audio