Klarinet Archive - Posting 000564.txt from 1996/05

From: niethamer@-----.EDU
Subj: Re: Clarinet/Bass Clarinet Duet
Date: Fri, 24 May 1996 13:09:58 -0400

On Thu, 23 May 1996, steve martinez wrote:

> I am interested in knowing if there are any duets written for clarinet and
> bass clarinet?
>
I can tell you about three that I've played.

1.) Allan Blank - Bicinium III, published American Composers Alliance. It
has 17 (yes, 17!) movements, most quite short, and lasts about 25 minutes
if you play it all. The form is in the shape of an arch, and Allan has
made a provision to play less than the whole piece - I think as few as 5
mvts, or you can "make your own edition" following his guidelines, which
are essentially to choose symetrically from each side of the arch.
Difficult, but well written for the instruments, and a great piece.

2.) Stanley Walden - Double Sonata, pub. Presser. A wonderful if somewhat
challenging piece. Part of the compositional technique involves writing
for "super-clarinet", with runs dovetailing from the lowest part of the
bass upward to the clarinet altissimo - tough, but a great effect when
you get it. Stanley Walden was one of the composers involved in writing
"Oh, Calcutta"! But this is a very modern sounding piece.

3.) Gunther Schuller - Duo Sonata, pub. Associated. A somewhat "standard
issue" duo - nice, and not as technically challenging as the two above,
but worth the work (IMO). The last mvt is in A for *both* players, so the
bass cl has to transpose (or buy an A bass!)

=====================================
David Niethamer, Internet Liaison
International Clarinet Association
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
niethamer@-----.edu
http://users.aol.com/dbnclar1/
=====================================