The first and third of these studies are arrangements of my Three Enigmas for cello and piano, composed in 1985. The original cello part has, of course, had to be substantially recomposed for clarinet (and bass clarinet in the third study), while the piano part remains unchanged.
The second study is new, replacing a piece in which the cello was virtually unaccompanied with a study for solo E flat (or B flat) clarinet which consists of a slowly descending decorated chromatic scale, marked ‘very still and subdued’ in the score. The outer studies are basically fast and hectic, though with moments of repose, and a feature of both is that clarinet and piano have extended passages in unison.
The first performance was given by Edward Pillinger and Suzanne Cheetham at Dartington in May 1992.
Categories: Chamber