Commissioned by clarinetist Deborah Andrus. Premiered by the Southeastern Trio at Tulane University, New Orleans, November 17, 2004. 15’.
When Deborah Andrus asked me to write a trio for clarinet, viola and piano, I was immediately intrigued by that combination of instruments. The clarinet and viola share almost identical ranges and a certain darkness of tone color which allows for their treatment as an intertwined pair. The piano has the option of functioning as a backdrop to these two characters (as in the lyrical Pas de Deux), or as a more equal contrapuntal voice (as in the outer movements). I did not set out to write a neo-Classical or neo-Romantic piece, but the chiseled, almost Beethovenesque quality of the opening material kept nudging me in that direction. My challenge then became to allow myself to dabble in devices drawn from the past while retaining my own voice. This commissioning ensemble, The Southeastern Trio, is made up of current and former faculty of Southeastern Louisiana University. A hint of Dixieland in the final minute of the piece pays tribute to this Louisiana connection.
Movement I, excerpt
(Deborah Andrus, clarinet; Amy Leonard, viola; Kenneth Boulton, piano)
Movement II, excerpt
(Deborah Andrus, clarinet; Amy Leonard, viola; Kenneth Boulton, piano)
Movement III, excerpt
(Deborah Andrus, clarinet; Amy Leonard, viola; Matthew Quayle, piano)
