French composer and conductor Henri Tomasi (1901-1971) published Three Divertissements for Clarinet Quartet in 1964. As with his other wind compositions Three Divertissements was well-received by audiences. Tomasi was born in Marseille but his Father and Mother were originally from La Casinca in Corsica. Despite being pressured into musical studies by his parents Tomasi dreamed of becoming a sailor and during the summer he stayed with his Grandmother in Corsica where he learnt traditional Corsican songs. However in 1921 he began his studies at the Paris Conservatoire and went on to become ahigh profile composer and conductor. Tomasi did not forget his Corsican routes often incorporating themes of the songs he had learnt during the summers with his Grandmother into his compositions. The Three Divertissements are named; 1) Proceedings 2) Masquerade and 3) Rounds. This Tomasi piece is suitable to an advanced Clarinet Quartet providing an exciting alternative addition to the ensemble repertoire.

Composed by Pierre-Max Dubois  Quartuor is a really energetic and melodious piece for four Bb Clarinets. Lasting approximately 10 minutes it is divided into four distinct parts: 1. Allegretto 2. Allegro 3. Pastorale and 4. Musette. During the whole piece the Clarinets complete each other’s part on this fast work. The first part has a repetitive theme with some variations while the second one seems to be playing more on the aspects of the low and high ranges. The “Pastorale” section is slower and slightly less cheerful. The piece ends on the “Musette” which brings back some energybefore the end. This piece would be perfect to play during a concert or a recital. Pierre Max Dubois (1930-1995) was a French composer who was awarded the Prix de Rome in 1955. Mainly composing classical music his works are mainly for woodwinds. He is one of the founder of the Les Six and which included his professor Darius Milhaud.

pour 4 clarinettes en sib-Published in 1984 Six Pièces d’Auditions de Jean-Michel Defaye (born 1932) is a set of 6 exercises for four clarinets in Bb. As a pianist composer producer and arranger Jean-Michel Defaye mainly created pieces for brass and wind instruments. He won the Premier Second Grand Prix de Rome in 1958 and the Belgian Queen Elizabeth composition competition in 1959.