Cantilena for clarinet and ensemble

[reith]

For clarinet horns strings and piano.

A bit slow and cantilena-y, mainly tonal if a bit twisted. 4mins 30

This spun off something else I posted recently.

Please note:

1) the chord at the start is just a transition from a previous movement - in the final version the piece will start where the clarinet solo starts.

2) The section starting at about 4.00 is a joke! Sounds like some poor man's fake Rachmaninov mixed with a bit of Ravel. I can't think what possessed me to write it. I couldn't resist leaving it in!
Suffice it to say it'll end with a cadence at 4.00. Apologies in advance.

Any comment on the general flow/mood would be welcome - thanks.

The more I hear it the more I wonder if it lost it's way (between 2.45 and 3.00). So much for one's subconscious telling one when it feels right... you can't trust these things!

Cantilena for Clarinet and Ensemble

cheers,
reith

[Boneman]

You have a fan in me! Lovely writing. I was wondering would the piano part sound a little more ethereal on a harp?

[reith]

Originally Posted by Boneman

You have a fan in me! Lovely writing. I was wondering would the piano part sound a little more ethereal on a harp?

You are most kind, Mr B. Harp? Possible though I was hoping to keep the instrumentation the same in the interest of uniformity. I still hope the little team wants to use my stuff and various bits have spun off. They're working to an exceedingly tight budget (like, "can you lend us a tenner for some camcorder tape?") and will probably use the sequenced rendering when I get it right - so I suppose anything goes. So it's just a uniformity issue.

cheers,
reith.

[Boneman]

Isn't it just so. Those inevitable words Tight and Budget! I always feel that people do not consider music making in what ever form is a proper job. So the thought of actually paying somebody to provide you with it is not even given much thought.

[Whataguy!]

I know all about the words tight and budget. We must work for the same guys. The overall mood is very nice; lightly suspenseful. It kind of ebbs and flows like you're writing to picture. I don't hear the "poor man's Rachmaninoff/Ravel" thing anywhere and think the bit at the 04:09 mark is nice enough to keep. Although I agree with BM and think it would be cool with a harp, I can understand your reasons for staying with the piano.

[MaestroX]

An interesting piece reith. It has a nice edgy/suspenseful mood which flows quite well and is sustained well, though I do agree with your feeling of it losing its way between 2.45 and 3.00. The clarinet writing is good but quite suppressive. It acts as a central force in the piece but I think if it had just a bit more interest it would sustain the listeners attention more throughout.

What project is this for may I ask? It would be interesting to know what your writing to accompany.