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Composer: Maud Hodson Title: The Missing Ink Instrumentation: Clarinet quartet - 3 Bb, Bass Duration: 5 minutes Difficulty: Moderate to harder Technical Issues: Each instrument in turn plays a solo, which is quite complex rhythmically, while the others play fast decsending figures followed by trills. Good ensemble will be needed later in the piece, where the parts contain complex rhythmic figures which need to fit together. Programme note: The piece begins with a free, cadenza-like solo for each instrument in turn, each introducing one feature of the music to come. The bass clarinet goes first, with an insistent rhythmic idea on a single note, over a frenetic accompaniment. The next solo, for the third clarinet uses two notes, E and F, making full use of the wide compass of the instrument. A succession of runs and arpeggios diving downwards form the next cadenza, for the second clarinet. Then the agitated accompanied is replaced by stillness, while the first clarinet plays its plaintive solo. Now all the various ingredients have been introduced, the accompanying instruments gradually come back into the picture, while the first clarinet continues with its melody. Almost as soon as all the pieces are in place the music begins to dissolve, until nothing is left but the undulating accompaniment. The Missing Ink was comissioned by the London Chamber Group with funs from the PRS. Maud Hodson studied composition with John Casken, and then took an MMus in Theory & Analysis at King's College London. She now combines her compositional activities with freelance typesetting. Maud's work has been played by the Nash Ensemble, The Lindsays, The Goldberg Ensemble, members of the Steve Martland Band, The New Music Players and the London Sinfonietta. Availability: E-mail the composer |
More on London Chamber Group Forum London Composers' Group 17th March 2000 |