Soprano Clarinet

Clarinet Sonata(11/26/21) for clarinet and piano – 12’30.  Much of the thematic material throughout this piece is derived from the opening Adagio of the first movement.  The opening two-measure fanfare by solo clarinet is answered by more lyric and peaceful descending figures.  Following that introduction, the movement relies on a simple ternary form.  The slow, Largo movement begins with a piano figure borrowed  from measures 5-6 of the  first movement’s Adagio.  The clarinet changes the descending figures from there into ascending figures followed by now familiar dotted rhythms.  The piano introduces a new theme accompanied by wide leaps from the clarinet.  A march-like theme from the clarinet incorporates those wide leaps.  The finale begins with four measures from the opening Adagio played in retrograde.  The next four measures are extensions of measures 3-4 of the Adagio.  These eight measures are the theme of the movement.  Variations begin in measure 17, in sixteen, eight or four measure groupings.  A brief clarinet cadenza leads to the final full variation of the theme and a short codetta.  MIDI recording.

Known Lights, Clarinet Sonata No. 2  (2009) for Clarinet and piano – 14’40”.   As the title suggests, this work is inspired by common sights, views from the everyday world that create an emotional response.  In “Turbulent Skies” I was responding to a cloudy, windy, blustery day. It’s the kind of day that threatens rain but never actually creates it. “Starshine Dances” was inspired by the twinkling of the stars. The light is faint and shimmering, in some ways insubstantial and fleeting. In “Before Dawn” the light is calm and serene, but life is stirring in anticipation of the new day. Because the light is faint, there is a certain mystery to it. In “Sunlit Streams and Rapids,” however, the light is bright. The water sparkles with sudden energy, only to be replaced by calmer waters that distort the light and delight the eyes. “Turbulent Skies” is in a modified ternary form. The A section is a set of variations based on the imitation between clarinet and piano created in the opening measures. The B section is a clarinet solo over a chordal accompaniment.   “Starshine Dances” is a seven-part rondo and coda – ABACAB’A’ with the coda based on the A sections. The frequent meter changes are meant as a reminder of the fleeting quality of the light, and the use of silences in the coda is meant to be Haydn-esque.

 Live performance.  The piece was premiered by Andrew Sprung, clarinet, and Brad Blackham, piano, on March 24, 2018, in the Conrad Recital Hall at The Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Numinous Ignotus (1987) Sonata for clarinet and piano – 13’00”.  The sonata is in three movements.  The first begins slowly and feels very open.  The middle section is more rhythmic and dramatic.  The second movement is lyric and calm, but it develops intensity as it progresses.  The finale is playful, with a cadenza that requires the use of multiphonics and borders on the comic.

Nathan Williams, clarinet

Live performance. The piece premiered March 13, 1987, at Salem College, Winston-Salem, by Nathan Williams, clarinet, and Nancy Wurtele, piano.