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Sussex Carol – Clarinet Quartet
The Sussex Carol is a Christmas carol popular in Britain, sometimes referred to by its first line “On Christmas night all Christians sing”. It became associated with Sussex because it was collected at Monk’s Gate by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and he subsequently used it in his Fantasia on Christmas Carols.
Each verse is made up of two couplets, with the second having three-measure phrasing rather than the standard two- or four-bar phrasing. In addition, there’s a measure with an extra beat, which adds to the charm of the piece.
Composer: Bill Reichenbach
Instrumentation: 3 Bb Clarinets & 1 Bb Bass Clarinet
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:20 / 11 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A -
Three French Carols – Clarinet Quartet
These three contrasting carols, skillfully arranged, provide a continental touch to your holiday concert.
Composer: Bill Reichenbach
Instrumentation: 3 Clarinets & 1 Bass Clarinet
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:10 / 10 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: Fm – Ab (Concert) -
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day – Clarinet Quartet
This traditional English carol first appeared in 1833, but it likely much older. Its origin is most likely in the medieval mystery play, which represented the Bible stories as tableaux with accompanying antiphonal songs. Many composers have arranged this traditional tune, including Gustav Holst and Igor Stravinsky.
Composer: Bill Reichenbach
Instrumentation: 3 Bb Clarinets & 1 Bb Bass Clarinet
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:10 / 20 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: Db – Eb (no key sig) -
Tuba & 12 – Mixed Large Ensemble
Tuba & 12 was inspired by a Bedouin proverb that states: “While the words are yet unspoken, you are master of them; when once they are spoken, they are master of you.”
Proverbs, in general, state a general piece of advice. This piece assumed that words were spoken, resulting in tension and an apology. Relationships, the first movement, has brass vs. woodwinds, tonality vs. dissonance, duples vs. triplets, et al. as well as the synergy and cooperation among all. Unspoken Words is the second movement and the dissonant opening theme in the piccolo and flute is presented three times. The third movement is Resolution. Over a constant low pedal G, the horn ostinato adds tranquility as all the themes from the first two movements return in fragmented form, before all is finally resolved.
Although tuba has top billing in the title, each instrument is equally important.
The sample score shows the first page of each of the three movements. The complete recording is available for free.
Composer: Anne McGinty
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute, 2 Clarinets, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, 2 Trumpets, 2 Horns, 2 Trombones & Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 11:00 / 75 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A
