Clarinet and bass clarinet in chamber music
- trios
listed in alphabetical order, durations are in parenthesis:
AWAKENING for clarinet,
guitar, and string bass is a soulful composition strongly influenced
by Jewish Klezmer music. It was composed for Giora Feidman, the Klezmer legend. The music moves from a mystical, contemplative opening
to an energetic finale. Color is added to the ensemble with the use of
wind chimes, finger cymbals, and finger rolls on the body of the string
bass. This is a memorable addition to any recital, and because of
its spiritual nature, makes a wonderful musical offering in a house of worship. (7) Grade IV.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1 (the opening).mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
CAPRICCIO (1986) for clarinet, trombone, and one percussion is a whimsical composition. Its overall structure is related to sonata-rondo form. Following an introduction, the
frolicking Exposition unfolds only to be interrupted by a chorale-like
episode followed by a paraphrase of the opening thematic material.
The development section consists primarily of cadenzas for the percussionist,
trombonist, and clarinetist respectively. The cadenzas are separated
by colorful transitional passages. The clarinet cadenza is abruptly interrupted
by the percussionist and trombonist leading to a section in Dixieland
style. The work concludes with a Recapitulation and Coda.Capriccio subtly pokes fun at the pyrotechnical characteristics exhibited by many
contemporary compositions and the same time hints at a parallel with similar
elements in Dixieland and jazz. The work was premiered in at the University
of South Florida in Tampa by the composer on trombone, clarinetist Judy
E. Buss, and percussionist Robert McCormick in November, 1981. The instrumentation includes tom-toms, snare drum, tambourine, suspended
cymbals, cowbells, triangle, tam-tam, bell tree, one timpani, vibraphone
& bells. "Frolicking and freewheeling with
12-tone Dixieland to boot!" - The London Times (13) Grade V-VI.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt
.mp3;
Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3; Excerpt
5.mp3.mp3
- Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
DESERT ODYSSEY (1997) for clarinet,
bassoon, and piano. Although there is no specific program involved in this music,
it does nevertheless have a strong narrative quality. The musical
development takes the form of a chain of episodes and
is suggestive of a journey through
the spectacular, awe-inspiring landscapes of the desert Southwest. Beautiful, lyrical sections contrast with intense and dramatic passages. Desert Odyssey was commissioned by
The International Clarinet Association and premiered at ClarinetFest 1997. (11) Grade V.
Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt
2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt.mp3 Hear on YouTube.
Score samples (score in C): Excerpt 1.pdf; Excerpt 2.pdf; Excerpt 3.pdf
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
DIVERTISSEMENTS for Bb clarinet and percussion was composed in the autumn of 2016 for clarinetist Kathleen Mulcahy. This work is designed so that either one or two percussionists can perform it. The 3 movements take listeners through a wide range of emotions and sonic atmospheres. Lyrical sections that are playfully juxtaposed with forceful passages characterize the first movement, Temporal Intrigues.The hauntingly beautiful second movement, Mystic Eyes, has a dreamy, meditative quality. Fusional Escapades is energetic and, with the exception of the clarinet cadenza, the performers are equal partners. (12’40”) Grade V. - YouTube Video
Percussion Notes.pdf; Score Samples:
Movement 1.pdf, Movement 2.pdf, Movement 3.pdf
Clarinet Part Samples: Movement 1.pdf, Movement 2.pdf, Movement 3.pdf
Sound Samples: Movement 1: Excerpt 1.mp3, Excerpt 2.mp3 - Movement 2: Excerpt 3.mp3, Excerpt 4.mp3
Movement 3: Excerpt 5.mp3, Excerpt 6.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
FANTASIA (1988) for flute,
clarinet, and piano moves gradually
from the contemplative opening to an intense and driving finish. "The writing is fresh, and the music is full of vitality and vivid imagination. A fabulous sonic journey. - The Atlanta Constitution. (730) Grade V.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt
2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3 YouTube Video
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
FLORIDA TABLEAU (1987) for clarinet,
trombone, and piano is in 3 movements: The March of Progress,
Pastorale, and The Eternal Sea. The energetic first movement features dramatic contrast between lyrical lines in the winds sounding over a hard-driving piano accompaniment, and a development section characterized by staccato melodic fragments being passed among the players. The second movement, Pastorale, is impressionistic and paints a sonic portrait of rural Florida's vast pasture lands, forests, lakes, and the Everglades. The Eternal Sea begins and ends with turbulent sections, one can easily imagine great waves crashing on the shoreline. Florida Tableau was commissioned by the Florida
State Music Teachers Association. A curious musical blend of the
old and the new, much like modern Florida itself. - The Orlando
Sentinel
(1640) Grade V.
Sound Samples: Excerpt Mov.1.mp3; Excerpt
Mov.2.mp3; Excerpt Mov.3.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
GEMTONES for two clarinets and bassoon (or bass clarinet) was written for clarinetist Kathleen Mulcahy during the fall of 2019. A bass clarinet part is included as an alternative to the bassoon. The six short movements were inspired by the beauty of gemstones and exhibit a wide array of moods and sonic atmospheres ranging from the mystical, to the brilliant, vibrant passages: Ruby, Opal, Diamond in the Rough, Onyx, Garnet, and Sapphire.
(12’10”) Grade V. - YouTube video
Score sample: Excerpts.pdf - Sound samples: Movement 1.mp3; Movement 2.mp3; Movement 3.mp3;
Movement 4.mp3;
Movement 5.mp3; Movement 6.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
GLACIAL VISTAS (2013) for flute, clarinet, and one percussion was inspired by the composer’s visit to Glacier National Park in Montana during 2011. The three movements, Dawn, On the Trail, and In the Realm of Twin Falls, capture the awe-inspiring grandeur and beauty of the rugged landscape. Glacial Vistas is dedicated to flutist John Bailey and was premiered by him; Diane Barger, clarinet; and Anthony Falcone, percussion. (15’15”) Grade V-VI.
Sound samples:: Movement 1 Excerpt.mp3; Movement 2 Excerpt.mp3;
Movement 3 Excerpt 1.mp3; Movement 3 Excerpt 2.mp3
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
IN THE MIRROR OF TIME (2003) for clarinet,
violin, and cello in two movements: Recollections and Moving On.
The first is lyrical and sweet and is permeated by a nostalgic ambience.
The second retains some of the sentimentality of the first, but is more
animated and pushes forward suggesting the relentless progression of time.
(10) Grade V.
Sound Samples:Movement 1A.mp3; Movement 1B.mp3 Movement 2A.mp3
View on YouTube: Movement I."Recollections", Movement II."Moving On"
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
NIGHT FLIGHT (1999) for piccolo,
clarinet, and piano. This riveting work provides exciting contrasts between
lyrical and technical sections. It was commissioned for the 1999 National Flute Association
Convention and was premiered at the event by Rebecca Arrenson, piccolo; Robert Price, clarinet; and Paula Peace, piano. (9) Grade V.
Recorded by Lois Herbine, piccolo; Allison Herz, clarinet; and Charles Abramovic, piano on the
critically-acclaimed Crystal Records CD "TAKE WING", available at http://www.crystalrecords.com/flute.html#CD713
Sound samples: Sample#1.mp3; Sample#2.mp3; Sample#3.mp3
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
ONE NIGHT for clarinet, tenor sax, and piano is in four movements: Evening Zephyrs, Midnight Musings, Venturing Out, and Sounds from the Blue Door.
(11') Grade V.
Score samples: Excerpts.pdf - Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
PASSAGE TO EDEN (2001) for clarinet,
French horn, and piano. This dramatic work is in 4 continuous movements.
The mood of the first is of ominous significance, as if one was preparing
to embark on an arduous journey. The music is lyrical, yet contains an
undercurrent of tension and anticipation. The second movement is characterized
by a contrapuntal dialogue between the clarinet and the horn over a driving
ostinato in the piano. The
lyrical and animated counterpoint sounding over the running bass line
and chord punctuations in the keyboard gradually give way to a section
of turbulence which serves as a transition to the relative calm of the
following movement.The third movement has an easy flowing
vitality. There is a silvery brilliance to the music with a hint of nostalgia.
The interweaving melodic strands grow increasingly romantic in quality
and then, quite suddenly, give way to a developmental passage which builds
in intensity and expectation. The finale is spirited and jubilant in character.
(12') Grade V.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
REMEMBRANCES (2000) for clarinet, cello, and piano s a lyrical work that was written following the death of the composer's 97-year-old grandmother. Rather than being a somber memorial or musical epitaph, this charming and melodious composition is a celebration of life. The
character of the opening section is contemplative. Gradually the music becomes more animated and finishes in a spirit of buoyant optimism.
(8) Grade V.
Score sample: Excerpt.pdf - Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
REVERIE (1992) for clarinet, viola, and piano. This beautiful, neo-impressionistic work was commissioned
Reverieis rewarding for the performers and audience alike. As the title suggests, the music is contemplative.
(1030) Grade
V.
View in its entirety on YouTube
Sound Samples: Excerpt
1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt
3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
SAINT FRANCIS AND THE ANIMALS for flute, clarinet, and harpis a tribute to St. Francis of Assisi, the venerated Catholic friar, preacher, founder of several Orders, and lover of animals and the environment. In two movements, The Birds, and The Wolf, this composition musically portrays two of the many well-known stories of how Saint Francis communicated with animals. Saint Francis and the Animals was commissioned by Kathleen Jones for ClarinetFest 2013 in Assisi, Italy. (11’30”) Grade V.
Sound Samples: Movement I: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;
Movement II, Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3
- YouTube videos: I. The Birds & II. The Wolf
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
THERE IS A SEASON(2007) for Bb clarinet and 2 percussion. The titles of the two movements, A Time of War, and A Time of Peace, as well as that of the larger work are derived from Ecclesiastes 3 in the Old Testament of the Bible. This work was written during the Second Iraq War and is programmatic. The 1st movement is tense and has militaristic character with dramatic proclamations culminating in an exciting solo passage for the percussion. The second movement begins with an atmosphere of apprehension that gives way to a spirited dance-like section. Eventually the mood becomes reflective, but during the clarinet cadenza the mood brightens and returns to the animated and joyous mood exhibited earlier in the movement. (13’30”) Grade V.
Score samples: Percussion setup page.pdf; Excerpt movement 1.pdf ; Excerpt movement 2.pdf
Sound samples: Movement1A.mp3; Movement 1B.mp3; Movement 2 .mp3
Video on YouTube
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
VILLAGE SCENES (2004) for oboe,
clarinet, and bassoon by Howard
Buss is a charming, colorful work inspired by the composers
childhood memories of the village of Old Zionsville in Lehigh County,
Pennsylvania. The 3 movements are: Playground Games, The Church By the Spring, and The Arrival
of Winter. (716) Grade V.
Score samples (score in C): Movement 1.pdf ; Movement 2.pdf ; Movement 3.pdf
Sound samples: Movement 1.mp3; Movement 2.mp3; Movement 3.mp3
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
VISITATIONS FROM THE DARK for alto sax, bass clarinet, and piano by Howard J. Buss was written for Barry McGinnis, Karl Kolbeck, and Sarah Masterson for the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Conference. The three movements traverse a wide diversity of moods and sonic atmospheres ranging from the mysterious, to soaring, spirited, and playful passages: Mirages (3’30”), Midnight Messenger (3’47”), Sprites (4’03”). Total duration without pauses: 11’20” Grade V.
Sound samples - Movement 1: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Movement 2: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;
Movement 3: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3
- Score sample: Excerpt.pdf
- YouTube video
Music available from Cimarron Music Press
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Clarinet/Bass Clarinet Sheet Music
Index of Clarinet Music: Click on an instrumentation link, works are listed in alphabetical order within each category.
Solo clarinet - unaccompanied
Clarinet with one other instrument or voice (includes clarinet
duos, clarinet and piano, clarinet and electronic recording, basset horn and piano, etc.)
Clarinet ensembles (includes clarinet
trios, quartets, choirs)
Clarinet or bass clarinet solo with percussion ensemble
Clarinet in chamber music - trios
Clarinet in chamber music - quartets (includes standard woodwind quartets)
Clarinet in chamber music - quintets and sextets (includes standard wind quintets)
Clarinet and band (or wind ensemble)
Howard J. Buss, Composer
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