Suite for Clarinet and Piano

Appropriate for professional and advanced high school or collegiate players, this three-movement Suite begins with a gentle "Song" with two opening themes. A contrasting lively theme interjects before the opening two themes return (in opposite order) to close the movement. The stark "Interlude" begins with a plaintive motif in the piano with the clarinet "answering" with its own legato phrases. The middle contrasting section builds with more jarring harmony growing into a restatement of the opening theme. The final section returns to the plaintive feel of the beginning of the movement. The closing "Dance" movement features mixed meters and fun rhythmic "conversations" between the clarinet and piano. The middle section features a reminisce to the legato opening of the first movement before a recapitulation of the rhythmic dance theme. After a reflective moment, a quick burst of a coda ends the work. Duration: 12:00.