Printed set (Score & Parts)
This piece is the eleventh in the "Virtuoso Series for Clarinet," which I began composing in 2010. It is the first quintet in the series. It is largely atonal, employing serial techniques throughout, but I also incorporated elements like the passacaglia form in the middle section to introduce a slightly more lyrical atmosphere.
As always, the music features rather extreme and unconventional technical passages, but because it includes more slow sections than usual, I believe that those who have tackled this series before will find it relatively approachable in terms of shaping the piece.
The music varies in tempo and mood, so it's crucial for the performers to share a unified image of the character they wish to convey in each section. The slower passages should focus on capturing a sense of space and atmosphere, while the more intense parts should be executed with precision and clarity rather than brute force.
Regarding dynamics, remember that not all forte passages are equal - some are too strong to be mezzo-forte but not quite fortissimo, and vice versa. A single dynamic marking can express a wide range of volume and color. Keeping this in mind and avoiding a simplistic interpretation - f = loud, p = soft - can help bring dramatic depth and nuance to what might otherwise feel like a rigid, mechanical piece.
..Of course, that's easy to say (laughing).. I look forward to hearing a brilliant performance of No. 11 in the series.
(Yuichi Abe)
