Six Vignettes

Six Vignettes are a series of short contrasting character pieces for clarinet. In the first movement, the performer focuses on different pitches in each section, playing almost entirely in the clarion register. The second movement, using the chalumeau register of the clarinet, is a slow melody based on a twelve-tone row. The third movement begins with a basic pulse that continues throughout the entire movement; however, the activity surrounding the pulse constantly increases. The traditional metric grid is removed in the fourth movement, lending an improvisatory-sounding feel to the music. The fifth movement is lugubrious, focusing on the wide dynamic and registral ranges of the instrument. The final movement, using octatonic collections, is the bookend that focuses on the athletic nature of the clarinet.