SKU: HL.49016219

ISBN 9790001146449. UPC: 884088202538. 9.0x12.0x0.195 inches.

The chiaroscuro-technique developed by painters of the Italian renaissance served to intensify contrasts and effects of optical depth. In Klar/Obskur, I tried to transfer the general idea of this technique on the rather unusual instrumentation of two double-reed woodwinds and piano. On the one hand, a clear, well articulated playing is characteristic for these instruments, on the other hand, they have an often underestimated potential of 'twilight': air-sounds and fragile, shady colours have a especially attractive when being produced by double-reed instruments (which are often, and superficially regarded as being less capable of differentiated sounds than flute or clarinet). The piano, too, has a broad bandwidth of possibilities between percussive and delicate playing to complement the woodwinds which, in return, can absorb and continue the fading piano sounds.The beginning introduces the two contrasting elements that form the basic material for the piece: a clear, sharp chord, followed by fragile, dim sounds. The changes between these elements as well as their combination and amalgamation produce an enormous spectrum of colours and gesture. After this 'motto-like' opening follow four quite clearly separated short sections, each of them being characterised by a well-defined texture: a partly almost imperceptible air-sound passage, a short sequence of microintervallic notes, a burst of virtuosity and a recourse to the fragile sounds of the beginning.The second, longer main part consists of three sections merging subtly into each other: a short unisono-passage, marked elastic [federnd], is being dissolved into its basic elements; from these remainders, a confrontation of low, 'arcane' bassoon and piano sounds and a strongly ornamented melodic line of the oboe emerges, leading to a short but powerful climax. The piece is concluded by an extended, relaxed epilogue, containing a short piano solo and a duet of oboe and bassoon and, finally, a quotation of the 'elastic' character of the middle section.Benjamin Schweitzer.

SKU: SS.50600012

Performing Materials: score and parts Composer's Note: A fancy is an English version of the Italian capriccio, a form introduced in the 16th century for works in various media wherein the force of imagination has better success than observation of the rules of art (Furetiere, Dictionnaire universel). The term is also used to describe a suite of dances. Fred's Fancies is a series of six dances that are quite capricious in nature, a fair portrait of the person to whom the work is dedicated. The suite's musical material is introduced in the first movement, an athletic Allegro. The following four movements emphasize some aspect of the first. The second, Waltz, is a quiet variation of the first movement's opening gesture. The third, Manic, combines the opening gesture with a secondary theme emphasizing descending perfect fourths separated by half-steps. The fourth movement, Arioso, re-visits themes from the Waltz, now set in a freer rhythm. The fifth, Favotte, combines elements of the gavotte with fugal episodes. The cycle culminates in a speedy final movement, Vivace, that brings back the all principal themes of cycle.

SKU: SU.29050340

Six Songs Without WordsOboe, Bassoon & Piano Duration: 14' Composed: 2014 Published by: Whitco Press.