CONTEMPORARY CLARINET CONCERTOS

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CLARINET CONCERTO

for clarinet and orchestra

Duration:
22 minutes

Instrumentation:
Clarinet solo, 2 flutes (2nd doubles piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 percussion, strings

Year Composed:
1996

Dedicated to:
Sharon Kam

Premiere Performance:
28 May 2003,
Hanover, Germany
Sharon Kam, clarinet
Hannover Radio Philharmonie, NDR
Yaron Traub, conductor

CONTEMPORARY CLARINET CONCERTOS

Program Notes:

The Clarinet Concerto (1996) is my first orchestral work. At that time, while living in both the worlds of classical music and jazz, I aimed to create a piece based on the contrast between orchestra and soloist, incorporating strong rhythmic contrasts, changing meters, and moods. The clarinet, with its wide range of expressive abilities—from soft and melancholic to bold and humorous—was the natural choice.

The concerto is structured traditionally in three movements: fast, slow, fast. At times, the clarinet engages in dialogue with the orchestra; at others, it becomes part of the orchestral texture. Occasionally, there is a friendly argument between the clarinet and the orchestra that is happily resolved. The Clarinet Concerto is dedicated to Sharon Kam.

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