SUITE FOR CLARINET AND PIANO

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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” movement 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 many fun rhythmic “conversations” between the clarinet and piano. The middle section features a “throwback” to the legato opening of the piece before a recapitulation of the rhythmic dance theme. After a quick reflective moment, a quick burst of a coda ends the work.

This recording features composer Virginia (Ginny) Johnston on clarinet and Marcia Maull on piano.