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Work Overview
Commedia is a five-part suite inspired by the characters of the commedia dell'arte theatre tradition. Marked by percussive hits inside the piano, four of the five parts within the suite serve as a portrait piece of these various stock characters. Although the entire work pays homage to Robert Schumann's Carnaval, the fourth part particularly delves into the convergence of the various personalities featured in the other movements.
Although it can be performed independently, Commedia is also intended as a companion piece of Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire and not only does it share the character of Pierrot, but Commedia revisits similar formal structures and techniques - the most significant being Classical forms (albeit twisted and modied) and free counterpoint.
The opening movement aims to capture the mischievous and agile nature of Harlequin with virtuosic flourishes and offset rhythms. The second part, 'Colombina', starts with a passage reminiscent of a chorale which then disintegrates into slow- moving melodic lines. The following movement, 'Tartaglia', juxtaposes comic and playful rhythms with more resonant, harmonic gestures. The concluding part of Commedia pays tribute to Pierrot, the frequently lovelorn and melancholic character, by revisiting earlier material presented in a stark, almost unrecognisable rendition.
Work Details
Year: 2023
Instrumentation: Flute, clarinet in B flat/bass clarinet, piano, violin, cello.
Duration: 9 min.
Contents note: I: Introduction & Harlequin -- II: Columbina -- III: Tartaglia -- IV: Carnaval -- V: Pierrot.
Dedication note: for pierrot ensemble
Commission note: Commissioned by the High Barnet Chamber Music Festival
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