5 Miniaturen for Clarinet in B-flat and Piano, op. 34 (1971)
Duration: 5 Minutes
Publisher: N. Simrock Hamburg-London (Boosey & Hawkes) ISMN: 9790221108470
The
compact, richly contrasting movements are composed in 12-tone style.
1. The
restrained opening develops within limited space a fanfare character which is
then weakened towards the end.
2. Above a carpet of piano sound, the clarinet
rises with a quasi recitativo, closing the movement with a short arioso.
3. The lively passages were suggested by typical conversational gestures. (Clarinet
solo - piano solo - clarinet solo)
4. A three-section song form in slow tempo
contains lyrical as well as dramatic moments. (Piano solo - clarinet solo - piano
solo)
5. Variations in rondo form conclude effectively and in fast tempo this
work rich in aphorisms.
Bertold Hummel