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Duration: c. 14'
I. The Flowers, Celebrated by St. Francis
II. St. Francis Preaching to the Birds
III. St. Francis Pacifying the Wolf
IV. St. Francis Preaching to the Fish
V. The Starry Skies, Celebrated by St. Francis
DETAILS
COMMISSIONED by Barbara Haney.
Barbara Haney's premiere at the International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest, Assisi, Italy, July 2013.
AVAILABLE from your favorite sheet music dealer, or direct from Presser. Texas UIL Prescribed Music List for all-state audition repertoire.
YOUTUBE of Barbara Haney's preview concert in Perugia, Italy, July 2013.
YOUTUBE of Tim Haas's faculty recital at Grand Canyon University (with captions and artwork).
Texas UIL Prescribed Music List for all-state audition repertoire.
PROGRAM NOTES
In
2012, bass clarinetist Barbara Haney (recently retired bass clarinetist from "The President's Own" US Marine Band) asked if I would accept a
commission to write her a solo piece to premiere at the 2013 ICA ClarinetFest,
to be held in Assisi, Italy. This was a fast "yes"!
Barbara and I both played in the Haddonfield Symphony and had back-to-back bass clarinet lessons with the Philadelphia
Orchestra's Ron Reuben in the early 1980s, and while I was a composer keeping up
with performance,
it was clear that Barbara was a stellar bass clarinetist with a big career
ahead. Occasional bass clarinet duets together was an inspiration that still
helps my playing 30 years later. The
opportunity to compose a solo work to be premiered in Assisi, by a virtuoso with
amazing sound, as the first piece I'd ever write for the instrument I knew best,
quickly suggested a clear idea for a suite about St. Francis, and within a day
I'd drafted the following scenario:
I.
The Flowers, Celebrated by St. Francis
Flowers are introduced through an innocent yet florid song, followed by a
chant-like passage from the "voice" of St. Francis. The movement then
continues as a duet between St. Francis and the flowers. The flowers represent
all the fruits of creation as well as simply being flowers in the garden.
II.
St. Francis Preaching to the Birds
St. Francis's chant begins the movement as a flowing cantilena, interrupted by a
dramatic eruption of bird calls (taking advantage of the bass clarinet's
tremendous range and agility). The movement then continues as a dialog between
St. Francis and the birds.
III.
St. Francis Pacifying the Wolf
A ferocious interruption representing an angry wolf who terrorizes the village
is perfect for an eager bass clarinetist. St. Francis is heard befriending the
wolf, and their duet progresses from heated drama to a peaceful resolve as their
themes transform into each other and end gently.
IV.
St. Francis Preaching to the Fish
This sempre pp movement may be imagined as occurring underwater; an
opening "glub-glub" motive evokes bubbles rising through water, and
the wiggly sixteenths are like gentle fins waving. The dialog is more subtly
integrated than in previous movements, and St. Francis's voice alludes to other
musical fish.
V.
The Starry Skies, Celebrated by St. Francis
The inspiring majesty of the infinite sky is salted with twinkling stars; St.
Francis's voice becomes one with the harmony of the Universe.
REVIEWS
"Finishing off the afternoon recitals was Barbara Haney performing a program of bass clarinet works. Ms. Haney plays with a full and resonant tone, showing her confidence and command of the instrument in all registers and dynamics. Her dynamic contrast, phrase direction and attention to detail showcases her musicianship and dedication to the music she performs. Daniel Dorff's work, Flowers of St. Francis, shows his love of the bass clarinet and his deft ability to paint scenery throughout the varied registers of the bass clarinet, each with its own distinctive timbre."
– International Clarinet Association website review of premiere at ClarinetFest 2013 (Jessica Lindsey)
"Written for Barbara Haney to perform at ClarinetFest 2013 in Assisi, Italy, this five-movement suite uses descriptive titles and musical effects to celebrate flowers, bird calls, a wolf, fish, and starry skies all in relation to St. Francis, who is depicted by solemn pseudo-Gregorian chant. The is good college-level study or performance material with idiomatic use of the bass clarinet: overblowing bugle-like harmonics, clarinet-specific tremolos, large leaps and large dynamic range. The conservative tonal language and easy key signatures will allow a player to focus on imaginative playing without being overburdened by technical difficulties."
– The Clarinet magazine (Gregory Barrett), September 2014
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