Soliloquy for Clarinet solo

Not much to say about it really. One of a few instrumental solos I've worked on. This was written late last year and set aside to allow time before making final revisions. Listening would be appreciated and comment received gratefully with thanks.

https://soundcloud.com/acitore/soliloquy-for-clarinet

Well. If a clarinet could speak a language, this would be it. I felt like I just came from a four-minute clarinettish diatribe against how the oboe always gets the spotlight.

Fine job, sir. Birdsong-like in its melody, it absolutely explores the limits of this charming instrument. Thanks for sharing! I hope you're able to get it performed.

It's a very introspective work, just like the title suggests. I'm not a clarinetist so I can't comment on the technical stuff, but it sounds playable. It would be beneficial to include the score. 

Overall, great job!

20 hours ago, Tónskáld said:

Well. If a clarinet could speak a language, this would be it. I felt like I just came from a four-minute clarinettish diatribe against how the oboe always gets the spotlight.

Fine job, sir. Birdsong-like in its melody, it absolutely explores the limits of this charming instrument. Thanks for sharing! I hope you're able to get it performed.

 

Thank you for listening and your generous comment. I love the clarinet, not just the compass nor the fact that in all but the top octave it can produce dynamics from almost nothing to fff. It's been a temptation to start crescendo hairpins with 0 (nought) at times. It could get performed in a slightly simplified version, so says the No 1 clarinet in our town orchestra.

Again, thank you. Most encouraging.

13 hours ago, danishali903 said:

It's a very introspective work, just like the title suggests. I'm not a clarinetist so I can't comment on the technical stuff, but it sounds playable. It would be beneficial to include the score. 

Overall, great job!

 

Very kind comments, and thank you for listening. Much appreciated. It's technically possible but would need a good player to bring off the leaps with confidence like the No 1 in a professional orchestra or a concerto / ensemble player. 

I'm not sure why I didn't include the score....probably because as it's a solo I wasn't going to flatter myself that anyone would try to play it!

Cheers.

Very nice. Great use of the versatility of the clarinet!
At times hauntingly beautiful and at times unsettling.
(Listening to your other pieces on soundcloud I notice that this quality is very often present in your music). This contrast makes your music extremely interesting. 🙂

Thank you for your kind words and listening through and beyond into soundcloud. I'm humbled but obviously pleased that you found it acceptable.

Most kind of you.

Very fine work indeed, I wonder although you composed this for solo clarinet ... my mind hears the musical line - in a dialogue with another instrument: string bass or maybe horn.  It feels as if the Clarinet is exploring an existential question - ............... and trying to find an answer.

This is cool.  I've personally explored this type of writing myself (I guess a bit Persichetti Parables-inspired?) on solo piano.  In my experience I found that occasionally setting up some kind of recurring rhythmic ostinato/pattern gave the piece some sense of not being just a bunch of random sounding gestures arranged in sequence.  For some reason I keep getting the impression that your music is written by John Williams.  Nice performance!

Hi Quinn,

your piece works very well, you have a good feeling, gestures seems very natural. 

A score is of course always a plus in my opinion as it gives us an other way to access your piece.

I am very curious to know wich library you are using for this recording.

Thanks for your piece 🌜

Hi @Quinn,

I just slip in and listen. I really love your usage of all the distinct colour, register and sound of the clarinet! It should be playable since clarinet is easier to do these dynamics and techniques.

I am also very curious about the sound library of the clarinet used as well. If I can use this in my clarinet quintet, Muahahaha!

Thanks for sharing!

Henry